Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for his disability ratings of bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, which were assigned on March 29, 2002.

The veteran's claim for separate 10 percent evaluations for each ear for bilateral tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular evaluation available under both old and new versions of the governing regulation has already been assigned.

The veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for hypertension, service connection for PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss disability were denied. The claim for tinnitus was also denied.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. There is no legal basis for a higher rating.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is already rated at the maximum allowed under the applicable rating criteria, and thus no higher rating can be granted.

The Board found that the May 2000 rating decision did not contain CUE in assigning a single 10 percent disability evaluation for tinnitus, and thus denied the claim.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating authorized under VA's Rating Schedule. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for service-connected tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has been assigned and upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already assigned the maximum schedular rating available (10 percent), and no separate ratings for each ear are warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the veteran's noise exposure during service is sufficient to establish a link between his current condition and his military service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are related to in-service noise exposure. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA medical records and a VA audiology examination.

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.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is already receiving the maximum schedular rating available, and therefore no legal basis exists for a higher rating.

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

The Board has remanded the case to consider whether service connection for tinnitus is warranted as secondary to a service-connected hearing loss disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and bilateral tinnitus are service-connected, based on in-service noise exposure and continuity of treatment post-service.

The veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for tinnitus and service connection for chronic sleep impairment are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing military records and medical evidence.

Service connection for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of June 28, 2000.,A 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted with an effective date of September 9, 2002.

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

The veteran's claim for a separate 10 percent rating for his service-connected tinnitus was denied as the condition is already receiving the maximum allowable rating under applicable criteria.