Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2006

The Board dismissed the veteran's claim of clear and unmistakable error in the October 1992 rating decision that granted service connection for tinnitus with a 10 percent evaluation, finding no such error.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and gout of the feet. The claim for gout of the feet was denied as there is no evidence linking it to active military service.

The October 22, 2002 decision awarding a 10 percent rating for tinnitus is not considered to be clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The veteran's appeal was denied as there is no legal basis for the assignment of a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus since December 10, 2001. The issue of entitlement to compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss must be remanded.

The veteran's tinnitus claim is denied, but he is granted service connection for a psychiatric disability (anxiety state with depression) due to the presumption of service connection based on his status as a POW.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus to his active service, including noise exposure. As a result, the claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected tinnitus has been denied. The maximum schedular rating available under the applicable VA regulations is 10% and no additional ratings are permitted based on the current state of the law.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to inadequate notice under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is assigned the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and there is no legal basis for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether tinnitus is related to service or service-connected hearing loss.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum of 10 percent, and there is no legal basis for a higher rating.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. The Board found no legal basis for a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for separate schedular 10 percent disability ratings for tinnitus in each ear was 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 appeal for separate evaluations for each ear of his service-connected bilateral tinnitus was denied as there is no legal basis to award such evaluations.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to missing medical records.

The veteran's claim for separate schedular 10 percent disability ratings for bilateral tinnitus was denied as the condition is already rated at its maximum under VA regulations.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum of 10 percent, and there is no legal basis for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim for tinnitus remains pending as a statement of the case must be issued.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is assigned the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and there is no legal basis for separate evaluations in each ear.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of frostbite, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The veteran was not granted an initial compensable rating for his hemorrhoids.