Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the September 1, 2000 rating decision which assigned a single 10 percent disability evaluation for bilateral tinnitus.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, to include entitlement to separate evaluations for each ear, was denied. The maximum schedular rating allowed for tinnitus under the applicable diagnostic code is 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is properly evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and a rating in excess of this has been denied.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. The claim for an increased rating is denied as there is no legal basis to assign a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during service or for many years thereafter. The veteran's current tinnitus was noted to have onset around the 1990s.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not sufficient to reopen the veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of the evidence is against service connection for all claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss as it is proximately due to tinnitus, which is already service connected.

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

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The veteran's claim for dual (separate) 10 percent ratings for bilateral tinnitus is denied as a matter of law because the highest rating allowed by law has already been assigned.

The veteran's claim for separate compensable evaluations for tinnitus is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation for tinnitus.

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

The veteran's tinnitus has been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent since its effective date, and there is no basis for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for separate schedular 10 percent disability ratings for tinnitus in each ear. The issues of service connection for a back disorder, skin disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder are remanded to the RO.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is already rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 6260, which means a separate rating for each ear is not warranted.

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

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

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

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