Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus began during his active duty service and is therefore granted service connection.

The veteran is seeking separate 10 percent ratings for tinnitus of each ear, claiming that his tinnitus is related to inner ear problems specific to each ear. The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development and medical opinion.

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The case has been remanded to obtain additional records from SSA and review all evidence since the last SSOC.

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus was dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of his appeal prior to a Board decision on the merits.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that neither condition warranted a compensable rating or an initial rating higher than 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further examination. The veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of medical evidence linking his current disabilities with service, requiring further development including a VA examination.

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were incurred in service due to exposure to acoustic trauma. The evidence supports a finding of entitlement for these conditions.

The veteran is granted a 10% evaluation for tinnitus prior to June 10, 1999, effective November 23, 1998.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service.

The Board dismissed the appeal as to the issues of tinnitus, perforation of the tympanic membrane, and hepatitis due to the veteran's withdrawal of his appeals. The veteran was informed that service connection for hepatitis could not be granted because it is not shown to have been incurred in service.

The VA granted service connection for tinnitus and hearing loss with effective dates of September 18, 2000. The veteran is seeking earlier effective dates.

The Board found no evidence of a current hearing loss disability or tinnitus related to service, and denied the veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The highest schedular rating available for PTSD is 30 percent.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus in service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The veteran was found not to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for his hearing loss, and there is no evidence of unemployability or inability to obtain substantially gainful employment solely by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not warrant an initial compensable rating or a disability rating in excess of 10 percent, respectively. The claim for separate ratings for each ear was denied as VA policy and regulations require only one evaluation for bilateral tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and conflicting medical opinions regarding the appellant's hearing loss and tinnitus.