Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2004

The veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was dismissed as the veteran withdrew his appeal.

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

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus preexisted service and were not aggravated by service. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before a decision can be rendered on the merits of the veteran's claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is being remanded to the RO via the AMC in Washington, D.C., for additional development.

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

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of the veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for secondary service connection for hypertension due to his service-connected PTSD. The VA examiner found no clear evidence linking the veteran's PTSD to his hypertension, and concluded that there was no aggravation of his hypertension by his PTSD.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral tinnitus, currently rated at 10 percent, is denied as the maximum disability rating allowed under the provisions of Diagnostic Code 6260 has already been awarded.

The appellant withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus, to include entitlement to separate evaluations for each ear.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for tinnitus, to include separate evaluations for each ear, was denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is already in effect.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral defective hearing is related to service and grants this claim. The issue of tinnitus remains pending as it was not addressed in the May and June 1999 rating decisions.

The Board denied an effective date prior to May 24, 2000 for the grant of service connection and a 10 percent rating for tinnitus.,The Board also denied an effective date prior to February 29, 2000 for a compensable rating for lumbar strain with degenerative changes.

The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as there was no current diagnosis linking these conditions to service. The veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these claims.

The Board found no in-service noise trauma and denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, concluding that his current conditions are not related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor could they be presumed to have been incurred in service. The evidence did not establish a link between current hearing loss and service exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for separate 10 percent disability ratings for bilateral tinnitus, finding that a single rating is appropriate as it constitutes one disease entity.