Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2004

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

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 and previous VA regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for separate initial ratings for bilateral tinnitus as the regulation does not allow for such ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and requests for additional information from the veteran.

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

The veteran's claim of entitlement to separate schedular 10 percent disability ratings for bilateral tinnitus was denied as the maximum schedular evaluation allowed for this disability is already in place.

The Board found that the veteran's current tinnitus is not etiologically related to acoustic trauma in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under VA's disability evaluation criteria.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not etiologically related to his period of active service.

The Board denied the claim of entitlement to an increased evaluation for tinnitus, finding that a single 10 percent rating is the maximum allowed under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral tinnitus, finding that a single 10 percent rating is appropriate under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a separate disability evaluation of 10 percent for tinnitus in each ear, finding that the current 10 percent schedular evaluation is the maximum provided by law.

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 by law is 10 percent.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess his pulmonary disability and tinnitus. The case will be reviewed again after the additional evidence is considered.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial separate compensable disability evaluation for tinnitus of each ear, finding that a single 10 percent rating already provided under the applicable diagnostic code is the maximum allowed.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and otitis media are being remanded due to incomplete VCAA notice, need for a VA examination, and the need to obtain treatment records from a doctor who treated him in June 1999.

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 by law is 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active service, nor could they be presumed due to exposure to certain hazards. The claims for service connection were therefore denied.