Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for TDIU was received on March 4, 2005. The effective date of this grant is set at March 4, 2004, based on the evidence showing his service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment as of January 9, 2003.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The appeal is pending in some cases, while others are denied outright.

The Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to acoustic trauma sustained during active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims based on in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with no presumption or other special theory of connection applied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his current bilateral tinnitus, including whether it is related to service or service-connected PTSD. The AOJ will also review if there is evidence sufficient to warrant entitlement to service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his exposure to noise trauma in service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to unclear evidence regarding his employability.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted and assigned a 50 percent evaluation for the period prior to June 1, 2006.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's skin rash claim is withdrawn. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability or tinnitus, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be established. Service connection for PTSD has been granted but an increased rating remains denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized non-VA dental expenses incurred on October 27, 2004 due to lack of pre-authorization and failure to meet the requirements under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination or opinion regarding whether hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected. The veteran is required to provide any additional medical records related to their ear disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service, nor could they be presumed to have been incurred in such service.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise, and grants service connection for tinnitus as likely due to noise exposure during active service.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent for the appellant's PTSD disability, finding that it meets the criteria for such a rating. The lumbar spine disability is also rated at its maximum allowable under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's tinnitus is causally related to his naval service and the Board has resolved the doubt in favor of the Veteran, granting service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from keeping himself ordinarily clean and presentable, or to avoid the hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment without assistance. Therefore, SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a valid claim for service connection for any of the conditions listed, including PTSD and head trauma. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or stressor.