Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus were denied as there was no verified in-service stressor for PTSD, no evidence of noise exposure related to service for hearing loss or tinnitus, and insufficient medical evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left hip disability, right knee disability, and migraine headaches are denied. The claim for PTSD is granted with a 30% evaluation effective from March 14, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD, and his psychological disorder other than PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by service. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, and his PTSD warrants a 70% rating. The Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during or as a result of his military service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus to his military service, including noise exposure. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, along with other service-connected conditions, has resulted in a 40 percent disability rating. The Board also granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to his inability to secure and maintain gainful employment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a right knee disability. The Veteran also received increased ratings for multiple non-compensable service-connected disabilities prior to September 28, 2007.

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.