Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or based upon housebound status is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The veteran's claim for Service Disabled Veterans' Insurance (RH) was denied because he is not considered to be in 'good health,' aside from his service-connected disabilities, according to the standards established by VA under M29-1.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current tinnitus is related to his military service. The claim for a disability of the left ankle remains denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous VA psychiatric examination and for obtaining any pertinent medical records. The veteran also needs corrective VCAA notice regarding effective dates.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for an initial compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD are pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus to his period of active service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his military service and therefore denied both claims.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him helpless and in danger in his daily environment, requiring the regular assistance of another individual on a daily basis to accomplish personal self-care. Therefore, special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status is not warranted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for tinnitus, assigning the earliest possible effective date based on receipt of his application to reopen in April 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient information in the current evidence of record regarding the veteran's claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, in aggregate, are found to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. Additional development is needed to determine the nature and severity of his conditions.

The veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have current hearing loss or tinnitus disabilities for which service connection can be granted. The claim for a left shoulder disorder is also denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship to service.

The Board found that the veteran's neck pain was not caused by his active military service and denied service connection for this condition. The initial compensable rating, disability evaluation, and TDIU claims are also addressed in the decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the etiology of the veteran's claimed back disability, tinnitus, and hearing loss.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as her conditions are not attributable to active military service or an undiagnosed illness.