Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2006

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is already assigned the maximum rating of 10 percent, and no additional ratings are granted.

The veteran's claim for separate compensable evaluations for tinnitus in each ear is denied as there is no legal basis to award such ratings.

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 appeal for a higher disability rating for tinnitus is denied as he is already receiving the maximum available rating under VA regulations.

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

The veteran's request for an increased evaluation for tinnitus was denied as the maximum schedular rating available (10%) has already been assigned.

The veteran's claim for separate 10 percent ratings for each ear for his service-connected bilateral 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 already assigned the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and therefore there is no legal entitlement for a separate 10-percent evaluation for each ear.

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

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 Board finds that there is no legal basis for a higher rating as it would be impractical to apply the regular schedular rating provisions.

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

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus, including separate evaluations for each ear, is denied as the maximum schedular evaluation has already been assigned.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus was denied as no documentation pertaining to these conditions was received prior to the February 6, 2003 formal claims.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating allowed under Diagnostic Code 6260. The Board finds no legal basis for a higher evaluation and denies the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran is already receiving the highest possible rating for bilateral tinnitus under VA regulations, and therefore, a separate 10 percent rating for each ear cannot be granted.

The Board denied the claim for separate schedular 10 percent disability ratings for bilateral tinnitus, finding that a single rating is appropriate under VA regulations.

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

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete information in the original file, including a lack of prior decisions on the rating decisions. The RO must obtain all relevant medical records and contact the appellant to gather any missing documents.

The May 1992 rating decision assigning a 10 percent evaluation for bilateral tinnitus is not considered clearly and unmistakably erroneous, thus the claim is denied.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus has already been assigned the maximum schedular rating available for that disability, and therefore an evaluation in excess of 10 percent is denied.