Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus, to include entitlement to separate evaluations for each ear, is denied as the maximum schedular rating available for tinnitus has been assigned.

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

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 tinnitus disability is currently rated at the maximum of 10 percent, and no separate ratings are warranted.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and no separate ratings are granted.

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 appeal was dismissed because he died while his case was pending before the Board.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for tinnitus was denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10% is already assigned, and separate evaluations for bilateral tinnitus are not warranted.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus has been assigned the maximum schedular rating available, and there is no legal basis for a separate evaluation for each ear. The appeal must be denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 6260, which assigns a 10 percent rating for recurrent tinnitus. No separate ratings are allowed due to the interpretation of VA General Counsel Opinion 2-2003.

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bilateral tinnitus was denied as there is no legal basis to award separate schedular evaluations for each ear.

The veteran's claim for a separate evaluation of 10 percent for tinnitus in each ear was denied as the maximum disability rating (10%) has already been assigned.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran is granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as these conditions are linked to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is rated at the maximum of 10 percent, and there is no legal basis for a higher rating.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is properly evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and separate evaluations for each ear are denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and increased evaluations for his gastrointestinal disability and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were denied. The veteran is not entitled to a higher evaluation for his recurrent peptic ulcer with pyloric channel ulcer, but is entitled to a 30 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7348. He is not entitled to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for either of his peripheral neuropathy disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is assigned the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and no further increase in rating is warranted.

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

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling new VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions and to assess whether he has residuals from in-service shrapnel wounds. The case will be returned to the Board after these examinations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a personal hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.