Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were denied as there is no legal basis to assign a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, and the criteria for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss have not been met.

The veteran's claim for separate 10 percent ratings for tinnitus in each ear is denied as the current version of Diagnostic Code 6260 precludes such evaluations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further proceedings, including scheduling a VA examination and requesting clarification of the veteran's employment history. The veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities as a whole.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no current disability as defined by VA compensation criteria and insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of his service-connected disabilities, including whether they render him unemployable.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for a compensable initial rating for hypertension. The decision also noted that the veteran's tinnitus was less likely than not related to service due to lack of exposure to extreme noise.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum of 10 percent, and no higher rating is warranted.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating allowed under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a right eye condition (claimed as homonymous hemianopsia), tension headaches, dizziness, and residuals of a head injury. The appeals were based on in-service accidents but no current disabilities are linked to those incidents.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already assigned the maximum disability rating of 10 percent, which is the highest evaluation available under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that there is not enough evidence to support a finding of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the medical opinions do not establish a causal link between these conditions and the veteran's military service.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing his claims for service connection due to his withdrawal.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, a left shoulder disability, and low back disability. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is pending as part of the appeal.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is already assigned the maximum rating of 10 percent, so separate ratings for each ear are denied.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he contends are related to noise exposure in service. The Board has determined that a VA audiology examination should be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, Hearing Loss, or Tinnitus as a result of service. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated. The veteran's diabetes mellitus was also not shown to be etiologically related to active service.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus and left ear hearing loss were evaluated, but the Board found no legal basis for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The issue of compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is remanded.