Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2005

The VA has denied the veteran's request for an increased disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected tinnitus, stating that a single 10 percent rating is authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260 and that separate ratings for each ear are not warranted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for separate 10 percent ratings for bilateral tinnitus as a matter of law, finding that DC 6260 only allows for one 10 percent rating regardless of whether it is perceived in one ear or both ears.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling and cannot be rated higher due to VA regulations prohibiting separate evaluations for bilateral tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected tinnitus is rated at 10 percent, and separate ratings for each ear are not allowed under VA regulations. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 23, 2000 for service connection of tinnitus due to lack of a formal or informal claim before that date.

The Board found that the appellant does not have tinnitus or bilateral hearing loss related to his service and denied both claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

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 veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, to include separate 10 percent evaluations for each ear, is denied. The maximum schedular rating allowed under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.87, Diagnostic Code 6260, has already been granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for separate compensable evaluations for tinnitus in each ear, finding that only a single evaluation is assignable under the current and prior versions of Diagnostic Code 6260.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected tinnitus was denied as the current evaluation of 10% is considered the maximum available under the applicable diagnostic code.

The veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent, and separate ratings for each ear are not allowed under current regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected tinnitus, finding that he was already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation available under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The Board found no evidence of a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes in either ear and concluded that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service. For tinnitus, the Board noted that there was insufficient information provided by the veteran regarding its onset and etiology, making it difficult to determine if it is related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not timely perfect an appeal on his claim for a compensable evaluation for service-connected left postoperative varicocele, thus dismissing this issue.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected Meniere's syndrome with bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that a 30 percent rating was appropriate.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an ear condition due to a lack of sufficient medical evidence to decide the claim, but with indications that these conditions may be associated with military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any conditions related to his active service, and therefore denied all claims for service connection.