Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for bilateral tinnitus.

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

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

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. The claim for an increased disability rating is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's appeals for increase in tinnitus, propriety of combined rating for service-connected disabilities, initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and allergic rhinitis beginning August 16, 2002, and sinusitis. The right ear hearing loss prior to August 16, 2002 was rated as noncompensable.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for initial compensable and increased ratings for bilateral tinnitus prior to June 10, 1999 and from June 10, 1999 respectively.

The Board denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus, finding that the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is already assigned.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the relationship between the appellant's claimed conditions and his periods of active duty for training.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated in service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus has been denied as the maximum schedular rating is already assigned.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and entitlement to dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) as there is no evidence that the veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death.

The veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss are rated at the maximum allowed under VA regulations, with no additional compensation granted.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently assigned a 10 percent rating, which is the maximum allowed under Diagnostic Code 6260. The Board finds no legal basis for assigning a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a qualifying diagnosis of PTSD and there is insufficient evidence to verify an in-service stressor. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also not established as service-connected.

The veteran's increased rating claims for PTSD and tinnitus were denied due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The cancer claims were denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of March 1, 2000.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is assigned the maximum schedular rating available, and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus is denied.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling and no higher, as there is no legal basis for a separate evaluation in each ear.

The veteran's claim for additional vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31, United States Code is granted as he has been found to be rehabilitated and the occupation in which he previously completed training is deemed unsuitable due to his abilities and employment handicap.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cause of death was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor as a result of a service-connected disability.