Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2006

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 claim for separate schedular 10% disability ratings for bilateral tinnitus is denied as the condition is assigned a single 10% rating under applicable VA regulations.

The veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected bilateral tinnitus was denied as there is no legal basis to award separate schedular evaluations for each ear.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus was denied as he did not file a prior claim and the earliest date of entitlement is October 8, 2003.

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

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that there is no legal basis for a higher rating.

The veteran's service-connected 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 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 a disability rating in excess of a single 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation for tinnitus was denied as there is no legal basis to award separate ratings for each ear. The maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has been assigned since March 29, 2002.

The Board is deferring appellate review of the claim of service connection for tinnitus and remanding the case to ensure VCAA compliance with Kent v. Nicholson, 20 Vet.App. 1 (2006).

The Board found no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to service, and denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his service, including noise exposure during military service. As such, the appeal for service connection is granted.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is assigned a maximum rating of 10 percent, and he seeks an increased evaluation. The Board finds no legal basis for separate evaluations in each ear as the condition is rated under Diagnostic Code 6260 which allows only one disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. Therefore, service connection for both conditions is denied.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability evaluation for pension purposes is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evaluations and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already rated at the maximum allowed under Diagnostic Code 6260, and thus no additional evaluation can be granted.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already rated at the maximum allowed under Diagnostic Code 6260, and thus no additional evaluation can be granted.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already assigned the maximum rating of 10 percent, and there is no legal basis for assigning a higher evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is properly evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's claim for an initial, separate 10 percent rating for each ear for his service-connected tinnitus must be denied as the version of DC 6260 in effect prior to June 2003 precludes a schedular rating higher than 10 percent for tinnitus.