Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2006

The veteran's appeal seeking service connection for a right heel disability has been dismissed as the veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

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

The veteran's claim for a schedular rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus was denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular rating available under the applicable 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 assigned a maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, which is the highest available under VA regulations. The appeal for a higher evaluation has been denied.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has been assigned under the applicable VA regulations.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already assigned the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and therefore there is no legal entitlement for a separate 10-percent evaluation for each ear.

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

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

The veteran's tinnitus disability is already rated at the maximum allowed under VA rating criteria, and no separate ratings for each ear are warranted.

The veteran's appeal for separate compensable ratings for bilateral tinnitus is denied as the current single 10 percent evaluation assigned for tinnitus is the maximum allowed under applicable VA rating criteria.

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

The veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum under Diagnostic Code 6260. The RO denied a separate rating for each ear as there is no provision for such in the current regulations.

The veteran's claim for separate 10 percent evaluations for each ear for bilateral tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular evaluation available under all applicable VA regulations has already been assigned.

The veteran's tinnitus disability is currently rated at the maximum of 10 percent, and no separate ratings are allowed under VA rating criteria.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board has determined that a VA examination and additional medical records are needed to properly adjudicate these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they related to in-service noise exposure. As a result, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are related to service, and therefore grants service connection for both conditions.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus, a single condition, is rated at 10 percent under the applicable rating criteria and cannot be rated higher.