Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2006

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating allowed under Diagnostic Code 6260. There is no legal basis for an increased evaluation.

The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the October 1989 rating decision, which assigned a maximum 10 percent evaluation for tinnitus. The veteran's claim for separate ratings for tinnitus of each ear is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for clear and unmistakable error in the April 2003 rating decision that awarded service connection for tinnitus with a 10 percent evaluation, finding no legal basis for an increased rating.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the October 2001 rating decision that assigned a 10 percent rating for tinnitus.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already receiving the maximum disability rating of 10 percent, which is the highest rating available under the applicable regulations. Therefore, a higher rating cannot be granted.

The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the March 1996 rating decision, which granted service connection for tinnitus with a 10 percent disability evaluation. The veteran's claim for separate ratings for tinnitus of each ear is denied.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already receiving the maximum evaluation authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260, which allows for a single 10 percent disability rating regardless of whether it affects one or both ears. Therefore, an increased evaluation beyond 10 percent is not warranted.

The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the August 2001 rating decision, which granted service connection for tinnitus and assigned a 10 percent disability evaluation. The veteran's claim for separate ratings for tinnitus of each ear is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus disability, and a compensable rating for high frequency sensorineural hearing loss. The maximum schedular rating available for tinnitus is 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal for separate evaluations for tinnitus of each ear was denied as there is no legal basis to award a schedular evaluation in excess of the maximum available under VA regulations.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to separate 10 percent disability ratings for tinnitus in each ear is denied as there is no legal basis upon which to award such ratings.

The veteran's tinnitus disability is already rated at the maximum allowed under VA rating criteria, so no additional ratings can be granted.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating available for tinnitus is 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for separate schedular 10 percent disability ratings for tinnitus in each ear is denied as there is no legal basis to award such ratings given the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has already been assigned.

The veteran's tinnitus disability is already rated at the maximum allowed under VA rating criteria, so no additional ratings can be granted.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to separate schedular 10 percent disability ratings for tinnitus in each ear is denied as there is no legal basis upon which to award such ratings.

The veteran's request for separate 10 percent disability ratings for tinnitus in each ear was denied as there is no legal basis to award such ratings under the current VA rating criteria.

The VA has denied the claim for an increased rating for tinnitus, as the appellant is already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is already rated at the maximum allowed under VA regulations, so no higher rating can be granted.

The veteran's claim for separate schedular 10 percent ratings for tinnitus in each ear is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is already assigned.