Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2006

The veteran's claims for increased rating of tinnitus and service connection for lung and skin conditions due to Agent Orange exposure were denied. The RO requested treatment records from the Milwaukee VAMC but did not receive a response.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and a gastrointestinal disorder due to lack of evidence demonstrating these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's service connection claim for bilateral tinnitus was granted, and his hearing loss claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are at least partly due to his in-service noise exposure, which is considered service-connected.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is properly evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

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 evaluated as 10 percent disabling, which is the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. There is no legal basis for a higher evaluation.

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

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 veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling and the Board finds no legal basis for a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for separate ratings for each ear of his service-connected tinnitus is denied as the condition has been assigned the maximum schedular rating available under VA regulations.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent and no higher, as there is no provision for separate ratings for each ear under the applicable rating criteria.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already rated at the maximum of 10 percent, which is the highest rating available under Diagnostic Code 6260. Therefore, no higher evaluation can be granted.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum of 10 percent, and no higher rating is warranted.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already receiving the maximum evaluation authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260, a single 10 percent rating. The claim for separate 10 percent ratings for each ear for his service-connected tinnitus must be denied.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already assigned the maximum rating of 10 percent, and a separate 10 percent evaluation for each ear is denied.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus, which is perceived bilaterally, was denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent already covers bilateral tinnitus.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already assigned the maximum evaluation of 10 percent, and no higher rating can be granted under current regulations.

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

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. The claim for an increased disability rating is denied as there is no legal basis to assign a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent.