Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2006

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 claim for separate 10 percent ratings for each ear for his service-connected tinnitus is denied as the condition only warrants a single 10 percent evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already assigned the maximum rating of 10 percent, and no separate evaluations are warranted for each ear.

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 claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus has been denied as there is no legal basis to award separate ratings for each ear, and the maximum schedular evaluation for tinnitus has already been assigned.

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 tinnitus is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and the RO denied a separate evaluation for each ear. The maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 6260 (recurrent tinnitus) has been assigned.

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 Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the August 1999 rating decision assigning a single 10% rating for tinnitus, as the correct facts were known at that time and the law was correctly applied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, warranting service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The veteran's dermatophytosis/dermatitis was granted a 30% rating.

The Board found that the veteran's left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss were not incurred or aggravated by service, while his tinnitus was not caused by or aggravated by service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to January 23, 2006 and a 50 percent rating from January 23, 2006. The veteran's claim for increased ratings for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has been assigned.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a left knee disorder or tinnitus due to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have tinnitus related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine the nature of his skin disorder, tinnitus, and PTSD. The claims will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The veteran's service-connected compartment syndrome of the left leg with residual peroneal nerve palsy and left foot drop is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 8521. The veteran's service-connected surgical scar to the left calf and skin graft donor site scar to the left thigh are both rated at 10 percent each.

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

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

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 an initial or staged schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent.