Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral tinnitus, hypertension, neuropathy of the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to protect himself from the hazards and dangers of his daily environment without the regular aid and assistance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for the aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service. The hearing loss disability issue remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, hearing loss, traumatic amputation of the right thumb, hypertension, and tinnitus, preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right eye disability and denied his claims for tinnitus. The reopening was based on new evidence showing posterior vitreous separation, nuclear sclerosis, cortical cataracts, mild blepharitis, and pterygium in both eyes. Service connection for tinnitus was not granted as there is no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, while the claim for hypertension secondary to PTSD was also denied. The decision did not address service connection for coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating allowed under DC 6260. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no legal basis to assign a single disability rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus.

The Veteran requested an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus, but withdrew the appeal in April 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, right and left shoulder tendonitis, depressive disorder, cervical spondylosis, lumbar degenerative discs, a left knee disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a left pelvic disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, sinus residuals of a rhinoplasty and septoplasty, a left foot disorder, hypertension, genitourinary (urethral) disorder, and rosacea on the nose, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since April 1, 2001. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities meet the percentage criteria for TDIU throughout the entire appeal period.

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 meeting VA criteria for hearing loss or sufficient medical nexus to establish service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or initial manifestation within a year of separation from service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no competent or credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim for PTSD is pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and back disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to have originated during service, while his PTSD is conceded based on the reported stressors. Service connection for all three conditions is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding no current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is denied as there was no prior claim filed before January 4, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his military service, with competent clinical evidence supporting this conclusion.