Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2005

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 Diagnostic Code 6260.

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 veteran has requested the withdrawal of his appeals regarding bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. As a result, the Board dismisses these appeals.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for tinnitus and service connection for a psychiatric disorder secondary to his tinnitus. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating for tinnitus, and it determined that there was no evidence of service connection for a psychiatric disorder due to tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date, finding that the grants of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were assigned based on October 8, 1998, when he submitted a request to reopen his previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the impact of the veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability, specifically bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The VA denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus to service. The veteran's PTSD was granted with an initial evaluation of 50%.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound of the right arm, finding that only a single 10 percent evaluation is assignable for bilateral tinnitus. The veteran's claim for separate evaluations for each ear was also denied.

The veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the evaluation for tinnitus, and as a result, the Board has dismissed the case.

The Board has determined that the veteran is already receiving the maximum available rating for bilateral tinnitus under Diagnostic Code 6260, and therefore separate ratings for each ear are not warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for separate 10 percent evaluations for each ear for tinnitus is denied as a matter of law due to the regulations prohibiting such ratings.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent, and a higher rating is not warranted.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for his hearing loss, tinnitus, maxillary sinusitis, and deviated nasal septum. The appeals were dismissed as the veteran withdrew his appeal regarding prosthetic devices and services and housing assistance.

The Board has ordered further development of the veteran's claims for service connection due to missing records and incomplete information. The case will be returned to the RO for this purpose.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the effective date for his tinnitus rating was set at January 10, 2000. The Board found that an earlier effective date is not warranted.

The Board found that the February 1993 rating decision denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic gastrointestinal disorder and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his tinnitus was already at its maximum rating of 10%, bilateral hearing loss did not meet compensable criteria, external hemorrhoid had no active symptoms, spermatocele left side had no active pathology, pulmonary disorder did not show active pathology, right middle finger injury and osteophyte, dorsal right foot were not incurred in service, and neck pain was not established as a current condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine the onset of his current hearing loss, lung disease, heart disease, and tinnitus.