Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings for his service-connected organic mental disorder, right hip fracture, left ankle fracture, maxillary fracture, and tinnitus.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The VA examiner opined that any current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service.

The veteran requested an increased evaluation for bilateral tinnitus, but later withdrew the appeal. The Board dismissed the case as a result.

The veteran's claim for separate compensable evaluations for each ear for his service-connected tinnitus was denied as the version of Diagnostic Code 6260 in effect prior to June 13, 2003, required a single evaluation for tinnitus regardless of whether it is perceived in one ear or both ears.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for diabetes mellitus, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and service connection for a bladder condition. The decision concluded that there was no evidence linking the veteran's bladder condition to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 14, 2000 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a TDIU at that time.

The VA determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss. The case is remanded to determine if there is sufficient hearing loss in the right ear to meet VA disability criteria and to reassess the status of his hearing loss, including in his left ear.

The veteran's claim for TDIU was granted with an effective date of May 1, 1998.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to the claimed conditions, except for tinnitus which was established as being related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of hearing loss or eye problems in service and insufficient medical opinion to support a link between current conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a personal hearing at the RO in Columbia, South Carolina.

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

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinion is not sufficiently clear and thus remanding for a new examination to address whether the veteran's tinnitus is causally related to service noise exposure.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation at the aid and attendance or housebound rate is denied as he does not meet the schedular requirements for housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities, and there is no evidence that his need for aid and attendance is solely due to a service-connected disability.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service and concluded that the current conditions are not related to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his military service. The evidence shows he was exposed to noise during service, but there is no medical evidence linking these conditions specifically to his time in service.

The Board found that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition worsening during service. The current hearing loss is considered to be due to natural progression rather than noise exposure in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board finds that the currently demonstrated bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to exposure to acoustic trauma during the veteran's military service, and grants service connection for these conditions.