Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and conflicting evidence about his exposure to combat noise during service. A new examination is needed to address these matters.

The veteran's claim for an initial schedular rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as there is no legal basis upon which to award separate schedular evaluations for tinnitus in each ear.

The veteran's initial disability ratings for bilateral tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss have been denied as they are already at the maximum allowable under VA regulations.

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

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions were incurred during active duty.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. However, additional development is required regarding the underlying service connection claims due to a lack of medical records from active service.

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

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for ALS, an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The maximum schedular rating available for tinnitus was assigned.

The Board found no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to service, and the left shoulder disorder was not linked to service. The veteran's currently manifested conditions are attributed to his post-service employment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for tinnitus, currently rated at 10 percent, has been denied as there is no legal basis to award separate schedular evaluations for tinnitus in each ear.

The veteran's claim for separate 10 percent ratings for each ear for his service-connected tinnitus is denied as there is no legal basis for such a rating under the current regulations.

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

The veteran's request for separate evaluations for each ear with regard to his service-connected tinnitus disability is denied as the current single 10 percent evaluation assigned to tinnitus disability is the maximum evaluation under VA rating criteria.

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

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus has been assigned a maximum schedular rating of 10 percent since January 17, 2003. There is no legal basis for the assignment of a higher evaluation.

The veteran's claim for a separate 10 percent rating for his service-connected tinnitus is denied as the condition already has a single 10 percent rating assigned.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is assigned a 10 percent rating, the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code (DC) 6260. There is no legal basis for the assignment of a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus.