Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus aurium is assigned a single 10 percent rating, which is the maximum evaluation authorized under Diagnostic Code (DC) 6260.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing disability for VA purposes and his tinnitus did not start during service. Therefore, he is denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that additional development of the claim is necessary before appellate review, including obtaining any relevant private medical records and conducting a new audiological examination if deemed necessary.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his active service, including noise exposure. As a result, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the claimant. The decision grants service connection for both conditions.

The VA determined that the Veteran's tinnitus did not occur during service or due to service-connected conditions, and therefore denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is as likely related to his service, including noise exposure during active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation. The Veteran's tinnitus claim, however, cannot be granted as service connection because his statements are not credible.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, which was previously denied in May 1998. The Veteran contends that his current tinnitus is related to noise exposure during military service.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus at his October 2009 Travel Board hearing, prior to the promulgation of a decision in the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus effective June 26, 1991, one year earlier than the date of receipt of an informal claim in May 1973.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at a combined 60 percent, and the Board denied his claim for TDIU as he does not meet the schedular requirements.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for further development, including a VA audiological evaluation to determine if the conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined, based on the medical and satisfactory lay evidence set forth above, that the Veteran's current tinnitus was incurred during his active service. As a result, service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disability, likely PTSD, were denied. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was granted a compensable initial rating from February 25, 2003 to September 24, 2009, but the claim for an increased rating after that date is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and its complications were denied as there was no diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder prior to February 20, 2003 was not granted due to lack of a formal or informal claim within one year of separation from service.,Service connection for tinnitus prior to April 14, 2003 was denied as the Veteran did not submit a formal or informal claim within one year of separation from service.,An effective date prior to February 20, 2003 for an increased rating for residuals of fractures of the distal medial malleolus and distal fibula with post-traumatic arthritis of the right ankle was denied as there was no increase in disability prior to that date.,A total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability from March 2004, when the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to work within one year, was granted effective July 31, 2004.,Initial ratings of greater than 50 percent and greater than 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder were denied as the symptoms did not meet criteria for total occupational and social impairment.,A rating higher than 20 percent for residuals of fractures of the distal medial malleolus and distal fibula with post-traumatic arthritis of the right ankle was denied due to lack of evidence of ankylosis or malunion.,A compensable rating for residuals of a right heminephrectomy was not granted as there were no requirements met under VA's criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his exposure to acoustic trauma during active service. Service connection was denied for basal cell carcinoma and osteoarthritis.

The Veteran does not experience any current disability due to bilateral hearing loss or inguinal hernia attributable to military service.,The Veteran's claimed tinnitus is not related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.