Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for a separate schedular 10 percent rating for tinnitus in each ear is denied as the maximum schedular rating for recurrent tinnitus, whether perceived in one ear or both ears, has already been assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected tinnitus, finding that a single 10 percent evaluation is the maximum allowed under current regulations.

The Board found no current diagnosis of PTSD and denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information and need for further examination. The veteran seeks service connection for tinnitus and diabetes mellitus type II with vision impairment, which he contends are related to his military service in Vietnam.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating authorized under versions of Diagnostic Code 6260 in effect prior to and beginning June 13, 2003. The disability picture caused by the tinnitus does not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's appeal for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been dismissed due to the death of the veteran.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus did not become manifest during her period of service and is not related to any in-service noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran is in receipt of the maximum evaluation available for tinnitus under the applicable rating criteria and therefore, an evaluation in excess of 10 percent and/or a separate compensable evaluation for each ear may not be assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for right ear hearing loss is remanded.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable regulations. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The veteran's claim for separate 10 percent ratings for each ear for his service-connected tinnitus is denied as the version of Diagnostic Code 6260 in effect prior to June 2003 precludes an evaluation in excess of a single 10-percent 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 claim for a higher rating is denied as there is no legal basis to assign a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral tinnitus, to include entitlement to separate evaluations for each ear, is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has already been assigned.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral tinnitus, to include entitlement to separate evaluations for each ear, is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has already been assigned.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected tinnitus has been denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation available under VA regulations.

The veteran's claim for separate 10 percent ratings for each ear for his service-connected tinnitus is denied as the version of Diagnostic Code 6260 in effect prior to June 2003 precludes an evaluation in excess of a single 10-percent rating.

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

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus, to include separate evaluations for each ear, was denied as there is no legal basis for a higher schedular rating.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already assigned the maximum rating of 10 percent, and a separate evaluation for each ear is not allowed under current regulations.