Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2004

The Board has granted the veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus and awarded a 10% evaluation for the scar from gunshot wound, left thigh with retained foreign body in popliteal space. The issue of an extraschedular evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 3.321(b)(1) is being remanded.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The right foot disability is rated at 10%.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and hearing loss of the right ear, finding no evidence linking these conditions to active duty. The claim for hearing loss of the left ear is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically noise exposure during combat. As a result, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for bilateral tinnitus, including entitlement to separate ratings for each ear. The maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is granted.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for service-connected tinnitus, finding that the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is appropriate.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, finding that the criteria under Diagnostic Code 6260 do not allow for separate evaluations for each ear. The veteran's claim was denied as there is no legal basis to award such a rating.

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

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran is already receiving the maximum disability evaluation for his tinnitus, and therefore cannot be granted separate evaluations for each ear. The claim for a higher rating as it pertains to service connection is denied.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as his representative withdrew the appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's active duty for training was a factor in developing these conditions. The effective date is not specified.

The Board denied a request for an effective date prior to February 25, 2000 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The veteran's claim was determined to have been filed on or after that date.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability related to his service, except for left knee osteophyte and chondromalacia which is presumed due to trauma from active duty service. The other conditions are either not shown to be related to service or were not found by the RO in their initial decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's TDIU claim must be remanded due to the need for further medical evaluation and consideration of his service-connected disabilities, including a left knee condition. The RO is instructed to obtain all relevant VA treatment records and schedule the veteran for an appropriate examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus granted service connection for both conditions.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus has been rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent. The Board found no merit in his claim for separate evaluations for each ear, as tinnitus is considered a single disability regardless of whether it is perceived as unilateral or bilateral.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for service-connected tinnitus, finding that the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has already been assigned.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current conditions were not related to his military service.