Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is a result of acoustic trauma incurred during his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for heart disease, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative joint disease (arthritis) of multiple joints, and skin disease. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and did not address the issue of an earlier effective date for tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for separate compensable evaluations for bilateral tinnitus, finding that only a single evaluation is assignable under current and previous VA regulations.

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

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected tinnitus was denied as only one 10 percent evaluation is assignable for bilateral tinnitus.

The Board has determined that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the July 2001 RO rating decision assigning a single 10 percent rating for bilateral tinnitus. The appeal for a rating of separate ratings of 10 percent for each ear is denied. The current claim for a schedular rating of 10 percent for each ear for bilateral tinnitus is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for consideration of regulatory changes and VCAA requirements.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with left radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board found that there was no evidence to support an in-service injury or event leading to these conditions.

The Board granted the veteran's motion to advance his case on the Board's docket and found that service connection was established for a rupture of the left eardrum and tinnitus. The issue of an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to newly submitted evidence and further development is required.

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

The veteran's tinnitus is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, which was granted by the RO in October 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, finding that a single 10 percent evaluation was appropriate under current VA regulations.

The Board has dismissed the appeal because the veteran died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a separate 10 percent evaluation for tinnitus of each ear, finding that only a single 10 percent rating is authorized under current regulations.

The veteran's claim for separate compensable evaluations for tinnitus in each ear was denied as the current regulations prohibit assignment of separate ratings for bilateral tinnitus.

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

The Board denied the claim of clear and unmistakable error in the July 1996 rating decision that assigned a 10 percent evaluation for tinnitus, finding no CUE.