Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2004

The veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to noise exposure during his service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings for bilateral varicose veins and tinnitus at a July 2004 videoconference hearing. The Board has no further jurisdiction in these matters.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of current diagnoses or impairment meeting VA standards.

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 veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased disability rating for bilateral tinnitus, finding that a single 10 percent evaluation is the maximum schedular rating provided under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities (Rating Schedule).

The Board denied the claim of entitlement to an increased rating for bilateral tinnitus, finding that a single 10 percent rating is proper and may not be increased through separate evaluations for each ear under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of venereal disease. The Board found that a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder was not shown to be of service origin, and that current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be of service origin.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral tinnitus, finding that only one 10 percent evaluation is assignable under current VA regulations and precedent opinions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a separate 10 percent rating for tinnitus in each ear, finding that VA regulations do not allow for such ratings due to the nature of tinnitus as a single disease entity.

The Board denied an increased rating for tinnitus, finding that a single 10% evaluation for bilateral recurrent tinnitus is proper and may not be split into separate evaluations for each ear.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development including medical nexus opinions and VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service onset or causation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back injury, an initial rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus, and earlier effective dates for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling an audiological examination and obtaining VA clinic records.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral defective hearing and tinnitus, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or until many years after discharge. Service connection was also denied for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus due to the absence of more severe impairment.,Service connection for residuals of cold injuries to the right and left foot was granted with a 30 percent rating effective from January 29, 2001. The earliest effective date for this service connection is January 29, 2001.

The VA has determined that the veteran is already receiving the highest possible rating for his service-connected tinnitus, and no additional ratings are warranted under current regulations.

The VA denied the veteran's request for a higher evaluation for his service-connected tinnitus, stating that there is no provision in the rating criteria for separate evaluations for each ear. The RO found that the current criteria only allow for a single 10% evaluation for recurrent tinnitus and that separate ratings are not warranted under Diagnostic Code 6260.

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 regardless of whether the tinnitus is perceived as unilateral or bilateral.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for separate 10 percent disability ratings for each ear due to bilateral tinnitus, as such a rating is not allowed under current regulations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including amblyopia and anopsia of the right eye, fungal infection (onychomycosis) of the hands and feet, stomach disorder, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia of the left eye, tinnitus, vertigo, fibromyalgia, and peripheral neuropathy. The claims were denied as not well grounded or without evidence linking these conditions to service.