Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral defective hearing and tinnitus were denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing a current disability related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the appellant's current condition was caused or aggravated during his period of active duty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, a back disability, and right leg peripheral neuropathy. The VA examiner found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that there was no medical evidence showing a nexus between his current tinnitus and military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed osteoarthritis of bilateral hands, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically his cannoneer duties in Korea where he was exposed to cold temperatures and acoustic trauma. As such, these conditions have been granted as being incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for initial higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent before November 17, 2008, and an initial rating higher than 20 percent from November 17, 2008.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for records from Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are considered incurred in service, while his left hand disability is not. The claim for refractive error cannot be granted as a matter of law.

The Board found that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability was not incurred in service and denied his claim. His hearing loss and tinnitus were also denied.

The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for additional development due to outstanding records and a need for an orthopedic examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral tinnitus and pseudofolliculitis barbae were denied as the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a chronic back disorder is granted, and his tinnitus is also granted. Service connection for hearing loss is granted with an initial noncompensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for a skin disorder. The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service, while the skin condition does not have a clear link to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but his thoracolumbar strain with scoliosis and PTSD are not rated higher than the current levels.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing notice of the information and evidence necessary to establish a disability rating and an effective date.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's reported in-service noise exposure is credible and his current tinnitus was manifested within one year of separation from service. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, and a right shoulder disability are remanded for further development.