Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating authorized under VA's Rating Schedule. The Board finds no legal basis for an increased disability rating.

The VA has denied the veteran's request for a higher initial rating of 10 percent for tinnitus, as the condition is already at its maximum schedular rating.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 6260, and a higher rating is denied.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is already receiving the maximum disability rating of 10 percent, and no further increase in rating is warranted.

The veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and no higher. The appeal for a more than single 10 percent rating for tinnitus has been denied.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is assigned the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and there is no legal basis for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and there is no basis for a higher rating. The claim of clear and unmistakable error in the February 2001 decision is denied.

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

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral tinnitus was first clinically manifest many years after his discharge from active service, and is unrelated to disease or injury in active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus was denied.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for recurrent tinnitus in the left ear, finding that it is recurrent and warrants such an evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are due to noise exposure during his period of service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus has been assigned the maximum schedular rating available (10 percent), and there is no legal basis for separate ratings for each ear.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular evaluation available (10%) has already been assigned.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already receiving the maximum disability rating available under applicable regulations, a 10 percent evaluation. Therefore, there is no legal basis for assigning a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that there is no credible evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and arthritis of the knees, back, and left elbow. The preponderance of the evidence does not show these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The Board finds that the veteran has tinnitus as a result of acoustic trauma in service and grants service connection for this condition. The veteran does not have peripheral neuropathy associated with his service or a service-connected disorder, thus denying service connection for this issue. For dysthymic disorder, the Board finds that the disability is moderately disabling but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds no legal basis for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a claim prior to October 23, 2002.