Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities make it impossible for him to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus granting a total rating based upon individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board finds that there is no basis for an effective date earlier than April 13, 2006, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found no evidence of tinnitus in service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection. For bilateral hearing loss, the Board determined that it was not aggravated by service and thus granted presumptive service connection.

The veteran's bilateral tinnitus is found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service and concluded that the current conditions are not related to military noise exposure. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability present during active military service or within one year after separation. The VA examiner could not resolve the etiology of the veteran's current tinnitus without resorting to mere speculation.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus to service, including exposure to combat noise. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus disorders are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling an audiological examination to determine if the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure. The issue of service connection for anxiety disorder and insomnia is held in abeyance.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no competent medical evidence showing current disabilities or in-service incurrence of these conditions. The Board also deferred consideration of the low back disability and lung disorder claims pending completion of further development.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder injury, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The veteran's claims were not supported by sufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic retinopathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, and end stage renal disease as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. The veteran's conditions are found to be the result of his active service.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected tinnitus has been denied as there is no legal basis to award separate schedular evaluations for tinnitus in each ear.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to incomplete development of evidence, including a need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for tinnitus, specifically whether it is related to a service-connected condition or if it was caused by noise exposure during active duty.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus was denied as the condition is already rated at its maximum under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error in the February 2001 rating decision, which established an effective date of September 1, 2000 for tinnitus. The veteran's service records confirm exposure to loud noise as an aircraft mechanic, and his March 1971 VA examination report constitutes an informal claim for service connection. Therefore, the Board has granted an effective date of November 18, 1970 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury and granted it. The veteran's current thoracic spine disability is found to be etiologically related to an in-service injury.