Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already receiving the maximum rating of 10 percent, and no further increase in rating is warranted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic conditions that could be linked to active duty.

The Board found no evidence of tinnitus during service or for many years after service, and concluded that the veteran's current tinnitus is not related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of private medical expenses incurred on September 12, 2005 is denied because the care rendered was not a medical emergency and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than November 8, 2004 for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The veteran was found not to meet the criteria for TDIU or DEA benefits prior to that date.

The Board found that the veteran's current left ear hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are related to his military service. The VA has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development including an etiological opinion.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, sinus condition, bilateral shoulder condition, hearing loss, tinnitus, low back condition, and knee condition as they are not shown to be related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for separate 10 percent evaluations for bilateral tinnitus is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation for tinnitus.

The veteran's claim for separate 10 percent evaluations for the service-connected tinnitus is denied as no more than a single 10 percent evaluation can be assigned under the applicable regulations.

The veteran's request for a higher evaluation for tinnitus was denied as there is no legal basis to assign a separate rating for each ear.

The veteran's claim for separate 10 percent disability ratings for tinnitus in each ear is denied as the condition is assigned a single 10 percent rating under applicable regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional evidence and a hearing, including a VA audiometric examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, renders him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. As a result, TDIU is granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the back, peptic ulcer disease, tinnitus, coronary artery disease, essential hypertension, and PTSD were denied. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted with a current evaluation of 60 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service exposure, while his left and right knee disorders are also related to service. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing impairment and tinnitus are related to acoustic trauma sustained during active military service, and thus grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability is service-connected, as it was likely caused by noise exposure during active service. The issue of service connection for tinnitus remains unresolved.

The Board has determined that there is no current medical evidence of diagnosis for hearing loss or tinnitus, and thus the veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection was denied, and he died without having a pending claim or existing rating that would qualify him for accrued benefits.