Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2006

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

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

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

The veteran's claim for separate ratings for tinnitus in each ear is denied as the maximum disability rating of 10% already applies to his service-connected tinnitus.

The veteran's appeal for a separate 10 percent evaluation for his service-connected tinnitus is denied as the condition has already been assigned a single 10 percent rating.

The VA has determined that the veteran's tinnitus, which is already rated at 10 percent, cannot be rated higher under any applicable regulations.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the October 2001 decision that granted service connection for tinnitus with a single 10 percent rating.

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

The veteran's request for separate 10 percent ratings for tinnitus in each ear is denied as the current single 10 percent evaluation assigned for tinnitus is the maximum allowed under VA rating criteria.

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 tinnitus disability is already rated at the maximum of 10 percent, and no separate ratings can be granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for various disabilities have been denied. The RO has granted service connection, but not the requested increased ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for separate schedular 10 percent disability ratings for bilateral tinnitus as there is no provision in the applicable rating criteria for such a determination.

The veteran's appeal in the matter of his hearing loss disability has been dismissed. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as there is no question of law or fact remaining before the Board.

The veteran's death was not the result of his own willful misconduct, and he had a combined schedular disability evaluation of 80% due to service-connected disabilities. However, he did not have a total disability rating for 10 years prior to his death, nor was he entitled to a total disability based on individual unemployability for 10 years prior to his death.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), were denied. The veteran was previously diagnosed with PTSD but the claim is considered new and material due to additional evidence.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already assigned the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and no separate ratings for each ear are allowed under current regulations.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus, to include a separate evaluation for each ear, was denied as there is no legal basis for the assignment of an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The VA has determined that the veteran's tinnitus, which is already rated at 10%, cannot be rated higher as there are no provisions in the current regulations for a rating higher than 10% for bilateral tinnitus. The decision concludes that the veteran does not have legal basis to receive a higher disability rating.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for tinnitus is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation.