Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's PTSD was granted and assigned a 50 percent evaluation for the period prior to June 1, 2006.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's skin rash claim is withdrawn. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability or tinnitus, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be established. Service connection for PTSD has been granted but an increased rating remains denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized non-VA dental expenses incurred on October 27, 2004 due to lack of pre-authorization and failure to meet the requirements under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination or opinion regarding whether hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected. The veteran is required to provide any additional medical records related to their ear disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service, nor could they be presumed to have been incurred in such service.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise, and grants service connection for tinnitus as likely due to noise exposure during active service.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent for the appellant's PTSD disability, finding that it meets the criteria for such a rating. The lumbar spine disability is also rated at its maximum allowable under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's tinnitus is causally related to his naval service and the Board has resolved the doubt in favor of the Veteran, granting service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from keeping himself ordinarily clean and presentable, or to avoid the hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment without assistance. Therefore, SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a valid claim for service connection for any of the conditions listed, including PTSD and head trauma. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or stressor.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD were denied. The denial was based on the lack of credible evidence to support the claimed in-service stressors for PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of current disabilities or a relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development of evidence, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical opinions on etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an increased rating for bilateral high frequency sensorineural hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, asthma, hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that is linked to the current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is as likely the result of his noise exposure in service or associated with his service-connected noise-induced bilateral hearing loss, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not begin during service or shortly thereafter, and there is no competent evidence linking his current tinnitus to service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.