Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, which includes the need for assistance with activities such as dressing, undressing, bathing, and attending to personal hygiene needs. The Veteran's service-connected conditions have resulted in significant limitations that necessitate this level of care.

The Veteran's appeal seeking a compensable disability rating for dermatitis was withdrawn. The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran had in-service noise exposure and continuous symptomatology since separation from service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional development being required.

The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development and adjudication of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records from Fort Drum and scheduling a VA audiological examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition, tinnitus, low back disability, and bilateral knee disability. The conditions are related to in-service noise exposure and injuries.

The Board has granted service connection for Meniere's disease, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are likely due to his in-service ear infections and are presumptively related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not caused by his military noise exposure. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.,The Veteran reported a head injury during service while setting up Claymore land mines, but he cannot recall specific details of this incident. His service treatment records show one instance of a headache in May 1974.

The Veteran's claimed conditions of headaches, bipolar disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The Board found the Veteran's reported continuity of symptoms since service to be not credible.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during active service, nor could they be presumed to have been incurred in service. The evidence did not show a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to July 10, 2009 were denied as there was no evidence of unemployability due solely to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining issues of left ear hearing loss, low back disability, hemorrhoids, and headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability prior to January 14, 2011. As of June 2, 2009, he meets the schedular criteria for such an evaluation.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 60 percent since August 10, 2009. He also received a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the right knee from September 11, 2009 to October 5, 2009.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral defective hearing and tinnitus, related to noise exposure in service. The appeal is REMANDED due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's reported history of tinnitus since service is credible and supports a finding of in-service onset. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there was no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's combined schedular rating for his service-connected disabilities is 60 percent, which does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

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