Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The RO assigned noncompensable evaluations to all three conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, skin rash, hearing loss, and tinnitus as secondary to or aggravated by PTSD. The claim of service connection for arthritis in the left shoulder is also denied.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the veteran's claims for hearing loss and tinnitus, as no such evidence was provided since the May 1998 denial. The decision is mixed because both issues were denied on the merits.

The Board finds that the veteran's tinnitus is rated at a maximum of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 6260, which precludes separate ratings for bilateral tinnitus. Therefore, the claim for separate compensable evaluations for each ear for tinnitus is denied.

The VA has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus do not warrant a compensable evaluation, with the exception of his existing 10% rating for tinnitus. The Board found no basis to grant additional ratings for either condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, residuals of cold injury to bilateral upper and lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision states that the earliest possible effective date is August 21, 2001.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for right shoulder impingement syndrome, left knee ligament laxity, and arthritis of the left knee with chondromalacia were denied. The claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus was also denied.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to have begun during his active military service and is granted service connection. Tinnitus was not shown in service or related to service, thus denial of service connection.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is as likely the result of noise exposure in service or a symptom of his service-connected hearing loss.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus has been denied as the maximum schedular rating is already assigned.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus has been denied as the maximum schedular rating is already assigned.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not attributable to his period of active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and pain are residuals of a left ear injury sustained during service. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the in-service injury.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected tinnitus, to include separate ratings for each ear, was denied as the current evaluation of 10 percent represents the maximum schedular evaluation available.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an initial compensable evaluation for his residual scar of the right hand were not addressed due to procedural issues. The claim for a rating greater than 20 percent for healed fractures of the second and third digits of the right hand was denied, while he received a noncompensable rating for his service-connected residuals.

The VA has determined that the appellant's service-connected tinnitus, rated at 10 percent, is not entitled to a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for a separate evaluation in each ear.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence now shows a current diagnosis of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, which is consistent with noise exposure during military service.

The veteran's claim for separate compensable evaluations for tinnitus in each ear is denied as the current rating criteria do not allow for such a division.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not entitled to separate 10% ratings for tinnitus in each ear, as such a claim is without legal merit.

The veteran's claim for separate schedular 10 percent disability ratings for bilateral tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent has already been granted.