Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

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

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating authorized under DC 6260. There is no legal basis for an increased rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not attributable to the veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss. The remaining issues on appeal are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by his military service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active duty. The VA examination report concluded that the veteran's hearing loss was not related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for diabetes mellitus, did not reopen his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of new and material evidence, and found that tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claim for tinnitus as a direct basis is denied.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, depression, hypothyroidism, an autoimmune system condition, and arthritis are all denied as secondary to service-connected alopecia areata and medications.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus began in service due to acoustic trauma sustained during combat, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and tinnitus, as well as the claims for increased evaluations for fractures of the hips and instability of the right knee. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for arthritic changes of the right knee was not established.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, left knee disability, facial scars, and head trauma with headaches and blurred vision.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus was denied as the change in rating criteria did not allow for retroactive benefits.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be due to in-service noise exposure, thus service connection is granted.

The veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of a left knee meniscectomy are productive of no more than moderate impairment, warranting an evaluation of 20 percent.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is already rated at the maximum of 10 percent, and a separate rating for each ear is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of these conditions during or after active duty service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, hemorrhoids, and tinnitus have been denied. The RO assigned a no percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 19, 2005 and a 10 percent evaluation as of that date. For the patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, the veteran was granted a 10 percent evaluation effective from March 19, 2005. The RO also assigned a 10 percent evaluation for hemorrhoids and denied an increased evaluation for tinnitus.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his occupational experience and educational background. As a result, the claim for TDIU is denied.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for tinnitus, as it is now covered by a higher disability evaluation for PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected tinnitus, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and chronic left knee strain.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for service-connected tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has been assigned.