Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2006

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing on his claim for tinnitus, as well as the issuance of a Statement of the Case.

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

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

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

The Board found that the July 2001 and February 2003 rating decisions, which granted a single 10 percent evaluation for bilateral tinnitus, were not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The veteran is already in receipt of the maximum schedular evaluation authorized under all applicable VA regulations.

The Board dismissed the appeal as there was no clear and unmistakable error in granting service connection for tinnitus with a single 10% evaluation, as per the applicable regulations at that time.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already assigned the maximum rating 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. There is no legal basis for a higher rating.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to noise exposure during military service.

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

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been granted, but the effective date for tinnitus is set at August 27, 2002. The effective date for the 20% rating for bilateral hearing loss is set at February 2, 1979.

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

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, to include a separate evaluation for each ear is being remanded due to the need for issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already receiving the maximum rating of 10 percent, and no further increase in rating is warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and assigned a 10 percent disability rating for tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current hearing loss is related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for separate 10 percent ratings for each ear for service-connected tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has already been assigned.

The veteran is receiving a 10 percent schedular rating for bilateral tinnitus, which is the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. The legal criteria for separate schedular 10 percent disability ratings for tinnitus in each ear are not met as a matter of law.

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 a higher rating.