Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus as a result of service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that neither condition warranted a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus, body cramping, low back disability, PTSD, and skin disability were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board also noted that his exposure to noise during service was presumed due to his service in Vietnam.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence showing a current disability or a relationship between military service and these conditions.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and tinnitus, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The RO is instructed to provide proper notice under Dingess/Hartman v. Nicholson, conduct stressor verification if necessary, schedule appropriate VA examinations, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board has remanded the case for a new examination and opinion due to an inadequate previous VA examiner's opinion.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have their onset in service or were otherwise related to military service. The VA audiological examinations showed no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus until many years post-service, and the competent medical opinions established no nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is a result of his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's disability compensation benefits were properly withheld to recoup the amount of his separation pay, as required by law.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected, with no specific date provided as effective date.

The Board found no current disability for the claimed right index finger injury and denied service connection. For tinnitus, while there is a current diagnosis of constant tinnitus, the Board determined that it was not related to military service.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently evaluated at a maximum of 10 percent, and there is no legal basis for assigning separate ratings for each ear.

The veteran's claim for a separate 10 percent rating for the service-connected tinnitus is denied as the highest available rating of 10 percent has already been assigned.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during service. The VA examiner concluded that the current disabilities are less likely related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not warrant a compensable disability rating, as his current ratings are at their maximum allowed under VA regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a chronic disease manifestation within one year post-service. The VA audiological report did not find a link between current tinnitus and active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have established bilateral hearing loss, and thus service connection for this condition is denied. The claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, right eye injury residuals, right knee injury, and damage to chest wall muscle are pending as additional evidence may be submitted.

The Board has ordered a search for missing service medical records and requests the veteran to provide information about any private or VA care received since separation from active duty. The case will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus should be June 20, 2001, based on a VA examination showing a relationship between the veteran's tinnitus and his period of service.