Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2006

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is evaluated as a single 10 percent rating, and no higher. The appeal for a separate rating for each ear is denied.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is assigned a maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and there is no legal basis for the assignment of separate evaluations for each ear.

The veteran's tinnitus disability is already rated at the maximum allowed under VA rating criteria, and thus no additional ratings can be granted.

The Board has ordered the RO to obtain missing service medical records and any other pertinent evidence. The veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus will be reconsidered based on this additional information.

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

The veteran's appeal for separate 10 percent disability evaluations for tinnitus in each ear was denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is already assigned under applicable regulations.

The veteran's tinnitus disability is already rated at the maximum allowed under VA rating criteria, and thus no additional evaluation can be granted.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already rated at the maximum allowed under VA regulations, so no higher rating can be granted.

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

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is rated as 10 percent disabling, the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. There is no legal basis for the assignment of a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus.

The VA denied the veteran's request for an increased evaluation of tinnitus, currently rated at 10 percent. The decision states that under Diagnostic Code 6260 there is no provision for assignment of a separate 10 percent evaluation for tinnitus in each ear.

The veteran's claim for separate 10 percent ratings for each ear for his service-connected tinnitus is denied as there is no legal basis for such a rating under the current regulations.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. The Board finds no legal basis for an increased disability rating.

The veteran's claim for separate 10 percent evaluations for his service-connected bilateral tinnitus was denied as he is already in receipt of the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The veteran's request for separate 10 percent disability ratings for tinnitus in each ear was denied as there is no legal basis to award such ratings under the applicable regulations.

The veteran's claim for separate schedular 10 percent disability ratings for bilateral tinnitus is denied as the condition is assigned a single 10 percent rating under applicable VA regulations.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus has been assigned a maximum schedular rating of 10 percent since October 31, 2001. Therefore, no additional evaluation is warranted.

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

The veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating has been assigned.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against the claim for service connection for tinnitus, as there was no chronic disability during service and conflicting opinions regarding its etiology. The veteran's tinnitus did not appear until many years after his military service.