Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2004

The veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development of his service connection claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for separate 10 percent evaluations for tinnitus in each ear is denied as a matter of law due to the provisions of Diagnostic Code 6260, which prohibits separate ratings for bilateral tinnitus.

The Board found that the veteran's residuals of cold injuries to the hands and feet are related to service, granting this claim. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not addressed in detail.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 1, 2001 for a TDIU rating as it was not factually ascertainable that he became individually unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities before this date.

The Board found that the appellant is not entitled to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus, as only a single evaluation for recurrent tinnitus is authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of metal fume fever and tinnitus, as well as his other disability claims. The decision is final due to lack of appeal.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral tinnitus was denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is already in effect.

The Board found that the veteran is not entitled to separate evaluations of tinnitus for each ear due to the regulations prohibiting such ratings. The maximum rating available for tinnitus is a single 10 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for separate compensable ratings for tinnitus in each ear, finding that only a single 10 percent evaluation is assignable under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, finding that a maximum schedular rating is available under Diagnostic Code 6260 and that separate ratings for each ear are not allowed.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, finding that a maximum schedular rating is available under Diagnostic Code 6260 and that separate ratings for each ear are not allowed.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus, finding that a maximum of 10 percent disability rating is the highest level possible under VA regulations.

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 assigned. The Board found that a single evaluation for bilateral tinnitus is appropriate under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for service-connected tinnitus, finding that a single 10 percent rating is the maximum available under current regulations.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for service-connected bilateral tinnitus has been denied as the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent is already in effect.

The veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for service-connected bilateral tinnitus was denied as the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent is already in place.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for separate 10 percent ratings for tinnitus in each ear, finding that only a single evaluation is assignable for bilateral tinnitus under current VA regulations.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus, a single disease entity, is rated as 10 percent disabling and cannot be divided into separate evaluations for each ear. The claim for separate ratings was denied.

The veteran's claim for separate 10 percent disability ratings for each ear due to bilateral tinnitus was denied as the current version of Diagnostic Code 6260 prohibits such separate evaluations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the veteran was exposed to acoustic trauma during service and experiences a constant ringing in his ears. The other claims are not addressed as they were not decided by the RO.