Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2004

The veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent, his epididymitis and bilateral hydrocele are rated at 10 percent prior to December 8, 2003, and his tinnitus is rated at 10 percent. These ratings have been in effect since the grant of service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and skin disorders of the feet. The appeals were based on direct evidence rather than presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and separate ratings for tinnitus, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for hearing loss and concluding that tinnitus does not constitute a separate disability warranting separate ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his combat service in Vietnam, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, Meniere's disease, and defective hearing in the left ear. The claim for an initial rating of PTSD was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notification and development, need for a name change verification, and need for VA examinations regarding back disorder, right leg disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that separate initial compensable ratings for tinnitus for each ear are not assignable, as the law mandates a single 10 percent evaluation for bilateral tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for separate initial 10 percent ratings for bilateral tinnitus, finding that only a single 10 percent rating is authorized under current regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for separate compensable evaluations for tinnitus in each ear, finding that only a single evaluation is assignable under current regulations.

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 veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable as a result of his conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 17, 2003, for a total schedular rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and employment-related records.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is rated at its maximum of 10 percent, and no higher rating can be granted.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, finding that the law does not allow separate evaluations for each ear and that there is no legal basis to award such a rating.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, finding that the law does not allow separate evaluations for each ear and that there is no legal basis to award such a rating.

The veteran seeks service connection for tinnitus and asthma. The Board believes additional development is required before a decision can be made.

The veteran's service-connected lumbar spondylosis with an old compression fracture and demonstrable deformity of L-1, head injury (including headaches and vertigo), and tinnitus have been granted initial ratings. The lumbar condition is rated at 20 percent since April 21, 2003, while the head injury and tinnitus remain at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for hearing loss and tinnitus due to a failure to report for a VA examination, and requests that he provide good cause if unable to attend. The RO is instructed to schedule an examination by a specialist in ear disorders.