Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2006

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his service records and a VA examination to determine the etiology of his hearing disabilities.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating available for tinnitus is 10 percent.

The veteran's request for separate 10 percent disability ratings for tinnitus in each ear is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has already been assigned.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already assigned the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, which covers both ears. Therefore, separate ratings for each ear are denied.

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

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

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

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is properly evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The claim for a separate 10 percent rating for each ear was denied.

The June 1999 rating decision assigned a 10 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected tinnitus, which was upheld as correct and within the applicable regulations.

The October 2002 rating decision assigned a 10 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected tinnitus, which was determined to be the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 6260. The claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in this rating decision is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected tinnitus, finding that a single 10 percent evaluation is the maximum allowed under current regulations.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating available for tinnitus is 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating available for tinnitus is 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating available for tinnitus is 10 percent.

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

The VA determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The Board found that the current disabilities are not related to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from his VA Medical Center and determining if he wants another hearing. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are on appeal.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no credible evidence of noise exposure during service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the veteran had hearing loss in service.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating allowed under the applicable diagnostic code. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent has been denied as there is no legal basis to award separate schedular evaluations for each ear.