Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and a medically unexplained irritable bowel syndrome, both presumed to be due to Gulf War service. Service connection was denied for the veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder and digestive disorder.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. However, the decision is mixed as some issues have merit while others do not.

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

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities has been remanded due to the addition of new evidence and changes in his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss effective from June 10, 2000. The veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during his active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied service connection for low back strain, hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of a right ring finger injury in June 1997. The veteran is contesting this decision on grounds of clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen claims for service connection for tinnitus, a body rash, and residuals of a right shoulder injury. The claim for chronic sleep disorder is denied as it is not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's tinnitus and service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right calf. The veteran was not granted any higher ratings.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, while his skin lesions of the left thigh were also not related to his service. The claim for these conditions was denied.

The veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches are related to a blast injury sustained during basic training in 1952. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The veteran's shell fragment wound scars are not rated as compensable.

The veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are currently rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent. No higher rating is warranted as there is no evidence of exceptional or unusual disability.

The veteran's current neurological problems, including vertigo with dizziness and tinnitus, are etiologically related to an in-service accident. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the earliest claim was received in March 1990, which is more than one year after separation from active duty. The decision became final, thus precluding an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected tinnitus warrants a maximum 10 percent evaluation, which is the highest level allowed under VA regulations. Therefore, his claim for an increased evaluation is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, finding that no increase in disability had occurred prior to November 8, 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and venereal disease, finding no evidence of these conditions in service or related to active military duty.