Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for separate 10 percent ratings for each ear for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 6260 has already been assigned.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for VA pension purposes, as they are not severe enough to prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for separate initial schedular 10 percent disability ratings for bilateral tinnitus as there was no legal merit to the claim.

The Board found that nerve damage, facial pain, tinnitus, and headaches were not related to service or the service-connected retained foreign body in the maxilla.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss but granted service connection for tinnitus. The veteran had preexisting right ear hearing loss, which was not aggravated by his military service.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back disability or tinnitus in service, and the preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is a reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, or left eye scarring. The veteran's tinea pedis and onychomycosis of both feet were rated as noncompensable since August 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, hepatitis C, and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease. The VA found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus has been assigned the maximum schedular rating available, and there is no legal basis to award a separate evaluation for each ear. As such, the appeal must be denied.

The Board finds that there is no evidence of tinnitus or kidney disability during service, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between current disabilities and service. The veteran's claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already receiving the maximum rating of 10 percent, and therefore a separate compensable evaluation for each ear cannot be granted.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently assigned a 10 percent rating, the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. The Board finds that the veteran is already receiving the maximum disability rating legally available for tinnitus under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service, including exposure to hazardous noise and a fracture of the right mandibular jaw. The preponderance of evidence did not support a connection between these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's combined disability rating of 60% does not meet the minimum percentage requirements for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, even if the veteran's disabilities fail to meet the statutory requirements, this case may be referred for an extraschedular evaluation on the grounds that he is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's skin cancer, hearing loss, and tinnitus were not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating or service connection based on the current medical findings.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is already assigned the maximum 10 percent rating, so a separate rating for each ear cannot be granted.

The veteran's claim for a separate 10 percent rating for each ear for bilateral tinnitus is denied as there is no legal entitlement to such a rating.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.