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 further increase in rating is warranted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, otitis media, and bronchitis. The veteran did not have these conditions during service or within one year thereafter, and there is no evidence of a causal relationship between any current condition and service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, PTSD, tinnitus, and hearing loss was denied. The VA examiner found no current hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulation, thus denying the claim for bilateral hearing loss.

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 tinnitus is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 6260, and the RO denied his request for separate evaluations for each ear. The maximum schedular rating available for tinnitus has been assigned.

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

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating allowed under DC 6260. The Board denied the request for an increased rating as there is no provision for separate ratings for each ear.

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

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus was denied as the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent is already assigned.

The veteran's claim for separate ratings of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus is denied as the regulations do not allow for dual evaluations.

The veteran's claim for separate evaluations for bilateral tinnitus was denied as the criteria do not allow such evaluations.

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 veteran's service-connected disabilities of bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are rated at 70 percent combined, but the evidence does not show that they alone preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. Therefore, TDIU is denied.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus to his service, thus denying these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptoms after discharge, nor is there any medical nexus linking these conditions to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that no higher rating is warranted based on the evidence.

The VA has determined that the veteran does not have a service-connected hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The claims for left hip, thigh, ankle, and shoulder disorders are also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. As a result, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service. The VA examiner found no connection between the appellant's current hearing loss and tinnitus and his time in service. As for PTSD, the appellant is currently receiving a 30 percent rating which is the maximum allowed under Diagnostic Code 9411.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including any in-service acoustic trauma.