Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2006

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is already assigned the maximum 10 percent rating, so a separate rating for each ear cannot be granted.

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

The veteran's claim for separate 10% ratings for tinnitus in each ear is denied as the condition is assigned a single maximum rating of 10%. The appeal is based on a matter of law and not fact.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the February 2001 rating decision that assigned a 10 percent rating for tinnitus.

The Board found that the August 2003 decision granting service connection for bilateral tinnitus was clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to a lack of evidence linking the condition to military service, and thus severed service connection.

The veteran's appeal was denied as there is no legal basis for the assignment of separate 10 percent initial disability ratings for tinnitus of each ear.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 6260. The Board has determined that there is no legal basis to award separate schedular evaluations for tinnitus in each ear.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete appeals and need for medical examinations.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is assigned a maximum 10 percent rating, and there is no legal basis for an increased evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating allowed under Diagnostic Code 6260. The Board finds that there is no legal basis for assigning a higher rating.

The Board found that the objective medical evidence did not establish a link between the veteran's diagnosed tinnitus and any incident of his active military service, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The VA determined that the veteran's tinnitus did not originate during his military service and is not related to any in-service noise exposure. The Board concurs with this determination.

The veteran's claim for separate schedular 10 percent ratings for bilateral tinnitus is denied as the current version of Diagnostic Code 6260 precludes such evaluations.

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

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating allowed under Diagnostic Code 6260. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent has been denied.

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

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.

The veteran's tinnitus disability is already rated at the maximum allowed under VA rating criteria, so a separate rating for each ear cannot be granted.

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 rating and denies the claim.

The veteran's claim for a separate schedular 10 percent rating for tinnitus in each ear is denied as there is no legal basis to award such ratings.