Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2004

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of PTSD was granted and assigned a 70 percent rating effective October 15, 2002. The issues of service connection for seizures and blackouts, arthritis of the left great toe, and entitlement to higher initial evaluations for PTSD prior to May 24, 2000 are pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his military noise exposure during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, finding that a single 10 percent evaluation is the maximum provided by the rating schedule.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully evaluate the veteran's claims for service connection. The RO will seek missing service medical records, obtain relevant private treatment records, and schedule a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral tinnitus will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board denied the veteran's request for a separate evaluation for tinnitus in each ear, finding that there is no legal basis to assign such evaluations as per the regulations and precedent established by VA.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus has been rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no benefit available for an increased evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking his current tinnitus to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements set out in 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). The case is remanded to determine if the veteran should receive a separate rating for diplopia and to refer it to the Compensation and Pension Director under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) for further consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus, finding that he has already been awarded the maximum benefit currently allowed by regulation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA audiological examination and reviewing all relevant records.

The veteran's initial ratings for tinnitus and hemorrhoids have been granted, with the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent provided for tinnitus. The RO has not found any exceptional or unusual disability picture that would render impractical the application of the regular schedular standards.

The VA has determined that the veteran's tinnitus, which is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 6260, does not warrant an increased rating as it meets the maximum schedular evaluation.

The veteran's initial evaluations for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral hearing loss were denied as his conditions do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bilateral tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The RO previously denied these claims in October 1990, but did not receive an appeal from the veteran.

The VA has determined that the veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as these conditions are already at their maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, gastrointestinal disability (GERD), and sinusitis due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The RO denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus and did not provide a rating for her left ear disorder.