Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing gainful employment.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was received on August 19, 1998. The effective date of the grants of service connection is set at August 19, 1998.

The Board has determined that the claims of tinnitus, a condition manifested by dizziness and vertigo, and hearing loss are not well grounded. The claim for service connection for hearing loss is reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last denial in 1983.

The veteran's depression is rated at 100 percent, and his tinnitus is rated at 10 percent. The effective date for service connection of tinnitus is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss are denied as there is no evidence to support an evaluation in excess of 10 percent under either the previous or amended rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not well-grounded because there is no competent medical evidence of current disabilities.

The veteran's increased hearing loss rating was granted with an effective date of May 5, 1993. His claims for service connection for left ankle and hip conditions were not supported by the evidence presented. Service connection for his back condition was established.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus and his service, thus denying the claims as not well-grounded.

The Board denied an effective date earlier than March 24, 1997 for service connection of tinnitus due to the lack of a formal claim prior to that date.

The veteran's tinnitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected hearing loss. The ratings for Dupuytren's contractures of the left and right hands are maintained at 30 percent each, with no change in rating assigned for arthritis involving the right knee.

The Board finds that the veteran's tinnitus is related to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for venous insufficiency of the legs and finds it plausible. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected cholesteatoma, left ear with tinnitus, status post tympanomastoidectomy; left ear hearing loss; and perforated tympanic membrane, left ear. The reasons were that there was no evidence of suppuration or aural polyps to warrant a compensable rating under Diagnostic Codes 6200-6260, as in effect through June 9, 1999, and the veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a noncompensable rating under Diagnostic Code 6100. The Board also found that there was no evidence of an exceptional or unusual disability picture warranting assignment of an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is well grounded and granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and tinnitus. The claim for left knee disability was reopened based on new evidence showing current disability.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected tinnitus does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as it is characterized as constant and severe.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip pain and tinnitus, finding that his claims were not well-grounded. The claim for a compensable evaluation for bursitis of the left knee was also denied.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted, with the effective date set at February 9, 1995.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence supports a link to his military service. The claim is granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of cold injury and tinnitus are granted, but his claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss remains noncompensable.