Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current ratings for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are appropriate, as they do not exceed the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. The claim is denied.

The Board found no evidence of a current pulmonary disability, hypertension, or residuals of stroke with eyesight problems related to service. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also not found to be related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for tinnitus and a 10% rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there were no pending, prior, unadjudicated claims upon which an earlier effective date could be based.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for clarification of his claims and to ensure all necessary evidence is available for review.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current left ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and thus denied service connection for this condition. The claim for service connection for tinnitus was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus between his current conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records. The issues are whether he is entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and active duty service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran withdrew the issues of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are attributable to service, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or a nexus between his current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unemployable as he can perform a sedentary job with the help of workplace accommodations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his time in active duty. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is less likely caused by or a result of military noise exposure, and that his tinnitus was not caused by or a result of military noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's account of noise exposure in service and persistent ringing in his ears is credible. Service connection for right ear hearing loss was dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service.,Regarding the skin disorder claim, the Board found no evidence of a link between the Veteran's active duty and his current condition. The condition was diagnosed several months after his separation from service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability during service and insufficient medical opinion to establish a nexus between current tinnitus and in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for tinnitus and residuals of a traumatic brain injury, but his claim for left hand Dupuytren's contracture is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred or aggravated by service, and the Board finds that it is not related to any in-service noise exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus. The claim for an initial compensable rating for candidiasis is denied as there is no evidence that the condition covers at least 5 percent or more of the entire body or exposed areas.