Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2006

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is already assigned the maximum rating of 10 percent, and a separate rating for each ear is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus began in service due to acoustic trauma sustained during combat, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and tinnitus, as well as the claims for increased evaluations for fractures of the hips and instability of the right knee. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for arthritic changes of the right knee was not established.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, left knee disability, facial scars, and head trauma with headaches and blurred vision.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus was denied as the change in rating criteria did not allow for retroactive benefits.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be due to in-service noise exposure, thus service connection is granted.

The veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of a left knee meniscectomy are productive of no more than moderate impairment, warranting an evaluation of 20 percent.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is already rated at the maximum of 10 percent, and a separate rating for each ear is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of these conditions during or after active duty service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, hemorrhoids, and tinnitus have been denied. The RO assigned a no percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 19, 2005 and a 10 percent evaluation as of that date. For the patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, the veteran was granted a 10 percent evaluation effective from March 19, 2005. The RO also assigned a 10 percent evaluation for hemorrhoids and denied an increased evaluation for tinnitus.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his occupational experience and educational background. As a result, the claim for TDIU is denied.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for tinnitus, as it is now covered by a higher disability evaluation for PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected tinnitus, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and chronic left knee strain.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for service-connected tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has been assigned.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, post-operative residuals of a back injury, tension headaches, and leg, ankle, and foot swelling as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims. The veteran's current conditions are found to be unrelated to his period of active duty service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, bilateral wrist and hip disabilities, hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo with dizziness and nausea, and severe headaches. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis or finding of these conditions.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral tinnitus, to include entitlement to separate evaluations for each ear, is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has already been assigned under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The Board has granted service connection for benign prostatic hypertrophy, tinnitus, bilateral Eustachian tube dysfunction, and sinusitis. Service connection was also established for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The veteran's lumbar spine condition is not presumed due to exposure to Agent Orange or other environmental factors.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a compensable rating for tinnitus and for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus. The veteran was not granted retroactive benefits due to VA's failure to notify him about the change in regulations.

The veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.