Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2006

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is already assigned the maximum 10 percent rating, and no separate ratings are granted.

The veteran's request for a higher rating for tinnitus with auditory gap detection is denied as the current 10 percent evaluation assigned to this disability is the maximum evaluation available under VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the appellant's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right wrist disability and a TDIU rating, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities for which service connection can be granted, including mastoiditis, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for non-service-connected pension benefits is denied as a matter of law due to the facts presented.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the conditions listed, as there is no competent evidence linking them to military service.

The veteran's appeal for separate 10 percent ratings for 'bilateral' tinnitus is denied as there is no legal basis to award such.

The veteran's request for separate 10 percent ratings for each ear for service-connected tinnitus was denied as there is no provision for such under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for tinnitus has been received. The veteran's tinnitus is as likely as not related to his active military service.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and emphysema. The decision found that the veteran did not have a current diagnosis of these conditions or evidence of their onset during service. Service connection was denied as there was no direct link to service.

The Board denied the claims for reopening the veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no new and material evidence to support these claims. The Board also denied the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss due to a lack of a nexus between the condition and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his period of service, and thus denied these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and assigned a grant of service connection, but the initial compensable evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and post-operative right elbow scar remain unresolved.

The veteran's appeal is for a higher rating for his service-connected residuals of left radical mastoidectomy with hearing loss. The Board has determined that additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining all pertinent records, is necessary before the claim can be decided.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, and the Board denied both claims.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his bilateral tinnitus has been denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is already assigned.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and no further increase in rating is warranted.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is already rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 6260, which is a single 10 percent rating. Therefore, no higher rating can be granted.