Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2004

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

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus already receives the highest possible disability evaluation (10 percent) under current regulations, and therefore no higher rating can be assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, finding that he is already receiving the maximum schedular disability rating allowed under applicable rating criteria.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and low back disability, finding that new evidence supports these claims. The veteran now has a favorable decision on both issues.

The Board denied the claim of clear and unmistakable error in assigning a single 10% rating for tinnitus, finding that the correct facts were before the RO and no CUE was established.

The VA denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for recurrent tinnitus, as the condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and assigned a 10 percent evaluation for atopic dermatitis. The claim for an increased rating for atopic dermatitis remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and bilateral tinnitus, finding that both conditions originated during active service.

The veteran's service-connected vertigo and tinnitus are rated at 30 percent under the criteria for Meniere's syndrome, which is granted.

The Board denied the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus, finding that no exception to the general rule allowing the effective date to be the date of receipt of the claim applied in this case.

The veteran's application for RH insurance was denied because it was not filed within two years of the August 1999 notice that he had been granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and hearing loss, finding that both conditions are related to the veteran's active duty service. The claim of service connection for hearing loss was reopened due to new evidence received since the last denial in August 1999.

The Board found that the veteran timely filed a notice of disagreement with the September 2001 rating decision, which reinstated his appeal on all issues except for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected bilateral tinnitus was denied as the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 6260 has already been assigned.

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 regulations.

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 prior regulations.

The Board denied the claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the April 2002 rating decision that granted service connection for tinnitus and assigned a 10 percent evaluation, effective March 1, 2001.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected bilateral tinnitus was denied as the maximum schedular rating allowed under Diagnostic Code 6260 is 10 percent.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for tinnitus, finding that the current rating criteria do not allow for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO found that the maximum disability rating allowed for his tinnitus under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.87, Diagnostic Code 6260 (2003) was already assigned.