Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2006

The Board denied the claims for service connection for tinnitus and a headache disorder, finding no credible evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left ankle disability, residuals of frostbite to the hands and feet, or diabetes mellitus. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's request for separate schedular initial 10 percent disability ratings for bilateral tinnitus, as the governing legal authority provides for only a single 10 percent rating for tinnitus.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased evaluation for tinnitus, including separate evaluations for each ear.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is assigned a 10 percent rating, the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code (DC) 6260. There is no legal basis for the assignment of a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus.

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

The veteran's claim for a separate evaluation for bilateral tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating has been assigned.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is not due to disease or injury incurred in service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records. The veteran's stressor allegations will also be verified, and he will undergo appropriate examinations to determine the nature of his current disabilities.

The Board denied an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral tinnitus from March 9, 1966 to March 19, 1970.

The veteran's appeal for an increased disability evaluation for tinnitus has been denied as the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent is already in effect.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral tinnitus was denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for separate compensable evaluations for tinnitus in each ear is without legal merit, as the disability is currently evaluated at the maximum allowable rating of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was denied as there is no legal basis to award separate schedular evaluations for tinnitus in each ear.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance of another person was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to care for most of his daily personal needs without regular personal assistance from others.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The veteran's claims were based on direct evidence rather than presumptive exposure to Agent Orange or other conditions.

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

The Board finds that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are more likely due to post-service noise exposure, but service connection is granted as his in-service acoustic trauma provided a basis for these conditions.

The veteran's tinnitus disability is currently rated at the maximum of 10 percent, and no separate ratings are allowed under VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and for separate initial schedular 10 percent ratings for bilateral tinnitus. The claim for service connection was based on a lack of medical evidence linking any current psychiatric disorders to service, while the claim for increased ratings for tinnitus was found to be without legal merit due to the existing regulations not allowing for separate ratings.