Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of head injury and tinnitus is denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied the other issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of thyroid cancers, increased ratings for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus are not well grounded. The RO denied these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for otitis media, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were not well-grounded. The claim for otitis media was denied because there is no evidence of current disability. For bilateral hearing loss, the Board determined that it did not preexist service as noted at the time of entrance examination, but also found that there was no medical evidence to show aggravation during service. Tinnitus was considered plausible under the law.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, finding that both conditions were rated appropriately under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is not well grounded.,The appellant's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is found to be well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between any current disabilities and the veteran's active duty service, including as due to a fungal infection of the ears.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, and residuals of ruptured right ear drum. The appeals on whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for left ear hearing loss and cervical spine disorder were dismissed due to lack of timely substantive appeal.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are not severe enough to qualify for vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, PTSD with considerable impairment in social and industrial functioning, and residuals of a nasal fracture. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is denied as the criteria are not met, and his claim for a compensable disability rating for the nasal fracture remains at 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, and his tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent. The current ratings are denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left knee scar, heart disorder (including hypertension), left shoulder disorder, tinnitus, bursitis, and amebiasis. The claims are not well-grounded as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support these claims.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as it was not factually ascertainable within the year prior to September 4, 1997 that he was entitled to TDIU benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are not well grounded, and thus denied.

The veteran's major depression is due to disease or injury which was incurred in service, and the Board finds that service connection for major depression is warranted. The RO should review the remaining claims of service connection for hearing loss of the right ear, tinnitus, and disability due to exposure to non-ionizing radiation.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD and tinnitus of the left ear are service-connected, with a noncompensable evaluation for tinnitus initially granted. The veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, finding that both conditions warranted only a 10 percent rating under the applicable VA regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding no medical evidence linking the condition to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are causally linked to his active service, warranting a grant of service connection.