Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2010

The Board has granted service connection for cellulitis of the right upper extremity and tinnitus, but denied service connection for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran is currently diagnosed with diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure, and the Board finds that service connection for this condition should be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral tinnitus is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The other claims are pending further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure and service-connected hearing loss, resulting in a grant of service connection for tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to his active military service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim for tinnitus was not addressed in detail, as it involves a different issue.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and there is no competent evidence linking his current tinnitus to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's current tinnitus disability is found to be related to in-service acoustic trauma, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with the onset of both conditions occurring during active duty. As a result, these claims have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or caused by active service. The Board found that the onset of tinnitus occurred outside the period of his military service and ruled out exposure to noise during ADT or IDT as a cause.

The Veteran's service connection claim for rheumatic fever with heart condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension, acquired low back disability (claimed as chronic low back pain), stomach scar, and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The STRs do not show any signs of these conditions during service, and there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted.,Chronic ear problems claimed as tinnitus, condition of the left calf (blood clots), and umbilical hernia (stomach hernia) have all been denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD were denied. The Veteran was already receiving the maximum schedular rating for his tinnitus (10%). For his bilateral hearing loss, he did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no provision for separate 10% evaluations for each ear. His PTSD claims were also denied with respect to the period prior to June 29, 2006 and after that date, due to lack of evidence showing symptoms warranting such high ratings.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and development are necessary before the claims can be fully adjudicated.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, hepatitis C, and prostate disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board found no evidence of a hearing disability during service or within one year after discharge, and there is no credible evidence linking the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss to his military service. The Board also found no evidence of tinnitus in service or for many years thereafter.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's military service due to noise exposure.