Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, is denied. The maximum schedular evaluation allowed by law and regulation has been granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for separate 10 percent ratings for bilateral tinnitus, finding that only a single 10 percent rating is authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260.

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 evidence is in relative equipoise on whether the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his exposure to excessive noise over a prolonged period of time during service. As such, these claims have been granted.

The RO assigned a 50 percent rating for PTSD effective from January 26, 1999.,The appellant withdrew his appeal for an increased evaluation of PTSD prior to the issuance of a decision.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his tinnitus, currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the law does not allow separate evaluations for bilateral tinnitus and therefore denied the claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected tinnitus, finding that a single 10 percent disability rating is appropriate under Diagnostic Code 6260.

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 found that the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no competent evidence linking the current disorder to his military service.

The veteran's claim for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment is denied as his visual impairment does not meet the required criteria under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is likely due to noise exposure during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was denied. The RO assigned the maximum 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss effective to January 1, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, are not related to his military service. The VA examinations found no direct link between these conditions and his time in active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a new audiological examination. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss will be returned to the RO after ensuring full compliance with VCAA requirements. The issue of an increased rating for bilateral tinnitus will also be remanded for issuance of a statement of the case (SOC).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for separate compensable evaluations for tinnitus in each ear, as well as his request for an earlier effective date for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. The decision affirmed the RO's denial of these claims based on existing regulations and precedent opinions.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus was denied. The effective date of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and the assignment of a noncompensable rating is not earlier than January 31, 2001. However, an effective date prior to August 12, 2002, for the grant of a 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted.,The veteran's claim for increased tinnitus ratings in each ear was denied as separate ratings are not allowed under current VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral eye disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to in-service noise exposure, while his tinnitus was found to have its inception in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus, currently rated at 10 percent. The maximum schedular evaluation available is a single 10 percent rating for recurrent tinnitus.