Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2004

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The low back disability, including degenerative changes or arthritis, was also not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for separate compensable evaluations for tinnitus in each ear, finding that only a single 10 percent evaluation is assignable under current and previous versions of Diagnostic Code 6260.

The VA has denied an increased evaluation for tinnitus, currently rated at 10 percent. The veteran's claim was based on the existing regulations which do not allow separate evaluations for bilateral tinnitus.

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 no separate evaluations are allowed.

The VA has determined that the maximum disability rating for tinnitus is 10 percent, and therefore a higher rating cannot be granted.

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 Board denied an increased evaluation for tinnitus, finding that the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is already assigned and no higher rating can be granted.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an increased disability rating for his service-connected tinnitus, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

The VA has determined that the appellant's service-connected tinnitus, rated at 10 percent, is already at its maximum schedular evaluation and thus cannot be increased.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an increased disability rating for his service-connected tinnitus, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of the assigned 10 percent rating for bilateral tinnitus was denied as there is no legal basis for such a higher schedular evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran is not entitled to separate ratings for tinnitus of both ears, as the revised regulation promulgated in May 2003 precludes the assignment of separate disability ratings for bilateral tinnitus and authorizes a single 10 percent rating for recurrent tinnitus.

The Board denied the claim that the July 1982 rating decision, which assigned a 10 percent evaluation for tinnitus, contained clear and unmistakable error (CUE). The Board found no CUE because it was not clear at the time of the decision that separate ratings for bilateral tinnitus were prohibited.

The Board denied a higher rating for the veteran's service-connected tinnitus, finding that the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is already in effect.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for separate 10 percent disability ratings for bilateral tinnitus, finding that a single rating is appropriate under Diagnostic Code 6260 as it applies to recurrent tinnitus regardless of whether perceived in one ear or both ears.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for separate 10 percent disability ratings for each ear due to tinnitus, finding that only a single 10% rating is authorized under current regulations and precedent opinions.

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

The veteran's claim for separate 10 percent disability ratings for each ear due to tinnitus was denied as the law precludes such a rating.

The veteran's claim for separate 10 percent disability ratings for each ear for service-connected tinnitus was denied as the law precludes such a rating.