Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2004

The Board denied an increased evaluation for bilateral tinnitus, finding that the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is already assigned.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for right ear otitis media, tinnitus, and hearing loss as they did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA's rating schedule.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause his death, and no other condition was shown to have contributed substantially or materially to his death. The cause of death listed on his certificate was acute myocardial infarction due to coronary artery disease.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inaudibility of his Travel Board hearing recording, and he has requested another hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the new hearing.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and right ear mastoidectomy residuals were denied as the evidence did not warrant an evaluation in excess of the currently assigned noncompensable ratings.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for separate compensable ratings for service-connected bilateral tinnitus, finding that a single 10 percent rating is the maximum available under VA regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's request for a separate 10% evaluation for tinnitus in each ear, finding that the regulation precludes such ratings due to the undifferentiated nature of tinnitus as a single disability entity.

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

The Board denied the claim for an increased initial disability rating for bilateral tinnitus, finding that a single 10 percent evaluation is appropriate under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities (Rating Schedule).

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional records and determine whether his current disabilities are related to service, including periods of active duty after separation from active duty in June 1970.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred in service due to noise exposure during active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that his conditions are no more than 0 percent disabling.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus, including a separate compensable evaluation for each ear, is denied. The maximum schedular evaluation available under the applicable rating criteria is already assigned.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for tinnitus, as the condition is already rated at its maximum of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for separate 10 percent evaluations for tinnitus of each ear, finding that such ratings are not provided under applicable rating criteria.

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 veteran's claim for separate ratings for bilateral tinnitus was denied as the regulation does not allow for separate ratings for unilateral or bilateral tinnitus.

The veteran experiences recurrent tinnitus in both ears and is granted a single 10 percent disability rating for bilateral tinnitus, but the Board finds that separate ratings are not appropriate as tinnitus constitutes one disease entity.