Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus warrants a 10 percent evaluation, which is the maximum allowed under current VA rating criteria. The appeal was granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no legal basis to grant such an earlier date.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, tinnitus, residuals of a medial meniscectomy of the right knee, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee are all rated at their maximum levels. The effective date for his total rating by reason of individual unemployability is March 9, 2000.

The veteran's claim for separate 10 percent ratings for tinnitus in each ear is denied as the condition is rated under a single diagnostic code and VA policy prohibits such separate ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus, finding that only a single 10 percent rating is authorized under the applicable regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his tinnitus, finding that a 10 percent evaluation was the highest possible under applicable regulations.

The veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that separate ratings for each ear are not warranted.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence supports a reopening of these claims. The Board also found that both conditions are related to active duty service.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to service, as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or current disability. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board found that the veteran does not have an employment handicap and is already suitably employed, thus denying his claim for vocational rehabilitation training.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide addendum VA medical opinions. The claims for increased rating of depression, service connection for tinnitus, and service connection for a low back disability are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, specifically noise exposure during active duty. As a result, the veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for separate 10 percent disability ratings for each ear due to bilateral tinnitus, finding that only a single rating is authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus, finding that a single 10 percent rating is appropriate under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral tinnitus was denied as the disability is already rated at its maximum of 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a cold injury, including circulatory disorders; myelodysplastic syndrome (pre-leukemic anemia); and separate compensable evaluations for each ear for tinnitus have been granted.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 60 percent for the veteran's service-connected status post inferior wall myocardial infarction with essential hypertension, effective from January 12, 1998. The veteran is also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including headaches, otitis media with perforated left tympanic membrane, vestibular defect, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, combine to render him unemployable.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations.

The veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder has been granted. The VA found that the veteran currently has this condition as a result of in-service stressors.