Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation for his hearing loss or establish service connection for his tinnitus.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for tinnitus due to new and material evidence, including reports of noise exposure as a cannoneer. The claim is granted based on direct service connection.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, to include separate 10 percent evaluations for each ear, is denied as the maximum disability rating allowed by law has already been granted.

The Board denied an increased rating for tinnitus, currently rated at 10 percent. The maximum schedular evaluation available is 10 percent.

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

The veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are due to noise exposure during his active military service in Vietnam. The VA has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be made.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VCAA notice and incomplete service records. The veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus will be further developed.

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 the veteran's tinnitus is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus, to include a separate evaluation for each ear, is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has been granted.

The veteran's appeal is denied for the issues of service connection for various conditions, with no new evidence provided to reopen previously denied claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of onset during service or within one year post-service, and no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VAMC records from 1955 onwards.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was granted with an effective date of July 24, 2001. The Board found that the earliest available effective date is the date on which the RO received the claim - July 24, 2001.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but further medical development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The VA has determined that the appellant is receiving the maximum schedular evaluation for tinnitus, and therefore an initial rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted.

The Board denied an increased rating for tinnitus, finding that only a single 10 percent disability rating is authorized regardless of whether the tinnitus affects one or both ears.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for separate 10 percent initial ratings for bilateral tinnitus, finding that only a single 10 percent rating is authorized under current regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus. The RO granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but assigned a 10 percent disability rating, while denying service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an effective date prior to March 31, 2003 for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The RO granted service connection for these conditions in September 2003 with a noncompensable rating, effective March 31, 2003.