Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's combined disability rating of 60% does not meet the minimum percentage requirements for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, even if the veteran's disabilities fail to meet the statutory requirements, this case may be referred for an extraschedular evaluation on the grounds that he is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's skin cancer, hearing loss, and tinnitus were not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating or service connection based on the current medical findings.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is already assigned the maximum 10 percent rating, so a separate rating for each ear cannot be granted.

The veteran's claim for a separate 10 percent rating for each ear for bilateral tinnitus is denied as there is no legal entitlement to such a rating.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service. The claim for increased rating of dermatophytosis of the hands and feet is pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current hearing loss or tinnitus, and there is no evidence of a right knee disability related to service. Therefore, the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right knee disability are denied.

The veteran's disability compensation benefits are properly recouped due to his receipt of Special Separation Benefit (SSB) pay, as required by law.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss, tinnitus, and lung condition were not caused by his active military service from October 1962 to October 1964. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.

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

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no legal basis to assign a schedular evaluation in excess of the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus, to include separate ratings for each ear, was denied as there is no legal basis for such an increase.

The veteran's initial rating for tinnitus has been denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is already assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, concluding that there was no medical evidence linking his current tinnitus to service or noise exposure. The Board found that the veteran's personal statements about the onset of tinnitus were not sufficient to establish a nexus between service and the condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the veteran's right brachial plexus injury (major) and has also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is assigned the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and no separate ratings for each ear are allowed. Therefore, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus is denied.

The Board has determined that there is no causal link between the veteran's current tinnitus and any incident of service, including acoustic trauma. The claim for reopening his lower back disorder was granted but denied on the merits due to lack of evidence showing a chronic condition in service.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has been assigned and no extraschedular consideration is warranted.