Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the loss or loss of use of a hand or foot, permanent vision impairment of both eyes, a severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip. Therefore, he is not eligible for financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, tinnitus, restless leg syndrome, prostate condition, hypertension, and rhinitis have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,VA examinations and a private physician's letter were considered. The VA examiners concluded that the Veteran’s disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected due to in-service noise trauma.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, and PTSD have been granted. The Veteran was exposed to loud noise during service which led to current disabilities of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is also granted for a lumbar spine disability due to in-service injury and for PTSD based on credible reports of witnessing the death of a shipmate.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the presumption of soundness at entry into service.,Service connection is established for left knee arthritis and right shoulder rotator cuff tear and arthritis due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound rate due to lack of evidence showing substantial confinement.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to incomplete development and lack of a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). The SSOC is needed for all denied claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disability, and sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Appellant is requested to undergo further examinations to provide a clear opinion on whether his conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including irregular heartbeat, BPH, high cholesterol, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, kidney condition, skin condition, right hand tremors, left hand condition, knee conditions, ankle conditions, shoulder arthritis, and lower bilateral gout are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's service records do not provide clear evidence of his claimed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. Further efforts should be made to confirm this information.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and entitlement to TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for higher levels of special monthly compensation based on loss of use of both lower extremities or need for aid and attendance.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or continuity of symptoms since service. The right knee disability is remanded as the VA examiner's opinion on causation was not provided, and TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to hazardous noise exposure in service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back, right knee, and left knee disorders have been withdrawn by the Veteran.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s tinnitus was related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus as they are related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, is granted service connection. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as not incurred in or aggravated by service. Erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to the service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 100% since September 16, 2010. The appeals for initial compensable evaluation of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn them. The appeal for TDIU is also dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100% rating for PTSD.

The Board has denied the reopening of the previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence was not received to support these claims.