Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and reopening of a previously denied claim are being remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, PTSD, and tinnitus. The claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder (claimed as dysthymia and PTSD) was considered on a de novo basis. Service connection for chronic low back pain was granted with a 10% evaluation. The veteran's left inguinal hernia and eye disorder claims were denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right heel condition. The veteran was granted noncompensable evaluations for these conditions.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal due to his failure to allege any error of fact or law in the February 1994 rating decision.

The Board denied a request for an effective date earlier than February 13, 1991 for service connection of tinnitus. The veteran's claim was not filed prior to February 13, 1992.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher evaluations and earlier effective dates, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of the current ratings or an effective date prior to July 31, 1997. The veteran was granted total disability based on individual unemployability as of July 31, 1997.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and ear dysfunction, including earaches and tinnitus, on a direct or secondary basis. Service connection was granted for anxiety disorder with depressive features and scar on the anterior throat, but both were rated at their minimum levels.

The Board denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for chronic right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as they were not well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right ear tinnitus were incurred in service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The veteran is entitled to assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to his service-connected Môniére's disease, which precludes locomotion without assistive devices.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board found no evidence of a well-grounded claim for service connection for any psychiatric disorders, headaches, tinnitus, neck and back disabilities, or muscle spasms.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected hearing loss, tinnitus, and otitis media. The RO assigned a noncompensable rating for each condition.

The Board determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a cardiovascular condition were not well-grounded. The RO has obtained all relevant evidence necessary for an equitable disposition of these appeals.

The veteran's claims for hair loss, tinnitus, left eye twitching, fatigue, and sinus problems as due to an undiagnosed illness have not been well-grounded. The Board found that the current symptoms of these conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection under the presumptive provisions for Persian Gulf War veterans.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, deflection of the nasal septum with difficulty breathing, and left wrist disorder were not well grounded. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities related to his military service.

The Board has denied increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD as the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not well grounded, as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The veteran's PTSD and dysthymia are rated at 50 percent, the maximum allowed. Other disabilities have not been granted higher ratings.