Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2005

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the veteran's current hearing loss is related to acoustic trauma experienced during military service. Service connection was denied for tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

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

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

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 thus denied the claim.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for tinnitus, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Board found that a separate rating for each ear is not warranted and that there is no basis to find the prior version of Diagnostic Code 6260 ambiguous.

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 veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for tinnitus and bilateral defective hearing, finding that a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a prior rating decision. The RO had previously denied his original claims, but granted them with an effective date of February 8, 2000.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected tinnitus, finding that a separate rating for each ear is not warranted as the condition is rated under Diagnostic Code 6260 which allows only one maximum 10 percent rating regardless of whether it is perceived in one or both ears.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for separate schedular ratings for bilateral tinnitus, finding that a single 10 percent rating is appropriate regardless of whether it affects one ear or both.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for separate 10% disability ratings for bilateral tinnitus as it is a single disease entity and not eligible for separate ratings.

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 VA has determined that the veteran's tinnitus does not warrant a rating higher than the current 10% assigned since it is already at the maximum schedular evaluation.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to lack of evidence showing entitlement prior to November 8, 1999.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus. The veteran is now granted service connection for tinnitus as it is associated with his already service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

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