Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are so disabling as to prevent him from dressing himself and frequently adjusting his special orthopedic appliance without aid, meeting the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no legal entitlement to such earlier effective dates.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service records and other issues.

The Veteran's tinnitus is associated with his exposure to loud noise in service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no evidence of current disabilities, and the medical opinions do not support a link to service.

The Veteran's GERD is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicides. However, the current disorder was not linked to his military service and there is no evidence of a link between other claimed conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, but has granted a finding of service connection for tinnitus due to exposure during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes, hypertension, heart disorder, tinnitus, insomnia, sleep apnea, depression, and GERD were not incurred or aggravated by his active military service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, the residuals of hepatitis C, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus in an October 15, 2008 decision. The appellant's motion alleging clear and unmistakable error (CUE) was denied.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's pre-existing conditions were not aggravated by military service, and there was no evidence of in-service onset or aggravation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, with a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to military service, including exposure to noise during combat in Vietnam.

The Veteran's tinnitus is the result of military noise exposure and service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, which are claimed as a result of exposure to acoustic trauma during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA audiological evaluation to determine if his current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including as due to exposure to noise trauma therein.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to potential issues with audiometric testing records, as well as a need for an appropriate VA examination. The Veteran is presumed to have been in sound condition upon entry into service, but his current diagnoses of hearing loss and tinnitus may be related to his period of active duty.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically noise exposure during his National Guard service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service exposure to loud noises, and thus service connection for tinnitus is granted. The lung disorder claim was not addressed as it does not involve a service connection issue.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from attending to the needs of nature, caring for himself, and/or protecting himself from the hazards of his environment. The criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance have been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a Board hearing at the RO. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.