Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound. His TDIU claim is also denied as there is insufficient evidence to determine if his service-connected conditions preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and chronic tinnitus are not related to his military service. The evidence does not show any significant noise exposure during service, nor is there any indication of a pre-existing condition aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement or payment of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Forsyth Medical Center on September 8, 2007 was denied as the treatment did not meet the criteria set forth in 38 U.S.C.A. § 1728.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing at the Regional Office.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, a skin rash, and fungus of the toes, all claimed as secondary to Agent Orange exposure, were withdrawn. The Board also denied service connection for tinnitus and vertigo, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 50%, which does not meet the minimum percentage requirements for a TDIU. The disability is not shown to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus alone are not of such severity as to preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left leg, hearing loss, tinnitus, and skin disorders due to Agent Orange exposure. The claim for a scar of the right arm was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied service connection for lumbosacral strain, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service, while the other conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in, or caused by, his military service.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as his current conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and consideration of his claims.

The Board is remanding the claims of increased rating for anxiety disorder, service connection for PTSD, service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease as secondary to anxiety disorder, and service connection for tinnitus due to procedural deficiencies in notification. The Veteran will need a VA examination to clarify his mental health diagnoses and determine if there is a separate diagnosis of PTSD. A VA examination will also be needed to assess the etiology of the Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease.

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to May 19, 2007 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is denied as there was no communication from the Veteran expressing intent to reopen his claim before this date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a grand mal convulsive disorder and epilepsy, as well as his claims for left ear hearing loss and chronic tinnitus. The evidence submitted since the previous denial does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the failure to schedule a VA examination as ordered by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total rating based on individual unemployability due to these disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.