Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his combined rating is only 20 percent, which does not meet the schedular percentage standards required.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, but finally granted in March 2006. The appellant's claim for accrued benefits was not based on a claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to his service or any aspect thereof, and his acquired psychiatric condition (including depression and anxiety) did not manifest during service and is unrelated to his period of service.

The Veteran's current tinnitus is not shown to be due to disease or injury incurred in service, and the Board finds no credible evidence linking his tinnitus to any period of active duty for training or an injury during inactive duty for training.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure in service and grants service connection for this condition. However, there is no competent evidence relating current tinnitus to service or noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service. The evidence does not show a current diagnosis of left ear hearing loss for VA purposes, nor is there any competent medical evidence linking the Veteran's current hearing loss to his military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need to obtain Merchant Marine service personnel records and provide a VA audiologic examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, including noise exposure. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were first manifest in service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hand condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The Board found no current evidence of these conditions during the period of active service or related to military service.

The Veteran's alcoholism is not related to his service-connected PTSD. His service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the appellant'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 denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no new and material evidence to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to noise exposure during his military service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied due to lack of evidence showing in-service noise exposure. The claim for left hemidiaphragmatic paralysis was not addressed as it is a separate issue.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, combined at 90%, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute substantially to his death. The immediate cause of death was aspiration pneumonia, which had an onset prior to death.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss was denied. The maximum schedular rating of 10 percent for tinnitus has been granted, but no higher rating is warranted. For bilateral hearing loss, the initial increase to a 30 percent rating effective January 31, 2007, was upheld, but no higher ratings are warranted prior to that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for a DRO hearing, clarification of medical information regarding Meniere's disease, and further development.

The Board found no evidence of a bilateral hearing loss disability or recurrent tinnitus during the qualifying period of service. The preponderance of the evidence is against establishing an etiological link between the veteran's current conditions and in-service acoustic trauma.