Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2005

The veteran's claim for separate ratings for tinnitus in each ear is denied as the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent has been granted since service connection became effective.

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 service-connected bilateral tinnitus has been rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent. The Board finds no merit in the claim for a higher rating and denies the appeal.

The veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent, and there is no provision under the rating schedule for separate evaluations for each ear affected by tinnitus.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a clarifying medical opinion regarding the etiology of the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected bilateral tinnitus, finding that a single 10 percent rating is appropriate.

The veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his service-connected tinnitus was dismissed due to the death of the veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and perforated ear drums due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial separate 10 percent evaluations for each ear of tinnitus, finding that a single 10 percent rating was appropriate under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.87, Diagnostic Code 6260 (2004).

The Board has determined that the veteran's headaches, variously diagnosed, were incurred in active military service and granted service connection for this condition. The decision regarding tinnitus is pending as it was not addressed by the Board.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied a higher rating for residuals of a fractured mandible. The low back disorder claim is remanded due to incomplete development.

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 denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, finding that the criteria for such a rating are not met under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for tinnitus, finding that the current rating criteria do not allow for separate evaluations for each ear and that there is no legal basis to award such a higher evaluation.

The veteran does not have left ear or right ear hearing loss that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated during active military service, and his tinnitus is not related to service.

The veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are granted, including organic brain damage, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, multiple joint pain, tinnitus, chronic diarrhea, and headaches.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from obtaining and retaining employment consistent with her abilities, aptitudes, and interests; she does not have an employment handicap.

The veteran's initial ratings for bipolar disorder and bronchitis have been granted. The veteran is entitled to a compensable rating for his left ankle fracture, effective March 29, 2004. His claim of entitlement to separate 10 percent ratings for tinnitus in each ear lacks legal merit. He is not entitled to a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's claim for separate ratings for bilateral tinnitus was denied as the disability is rated under a single diagnostic code and does not allow for separate evaluations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's hearing problems began in service due to noise exposure. The Board also found service connection for residuals of a broken nose, attributing this to an inservice injury.