Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, to include based on assignment of a separate rating for each ear, is denied as the revised version of Diagnostic Code 6260 prohibits a schedular rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the March 1980 decision granting a 10 percent evaluation for tinnitus, as the correct facts were before the adjudicator at the time of the decision. The veteran is already receiving the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining service medical records and arranging for VA examinations to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any manifested nasal condition, sinusitis, lower back and neck condition, residuals of injury to the skull, hearing loss, tinnitus, and depression.

The veteran's claim for an initial, separate 10 percent rating for each ear for his service-connected tinnitus must be denied under both the old and current versions of DC 6260. As the service-connected tinnitus has been assigned the maximum schedular rating available for tinnitus by regulation and DC 6260, which has been upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, there is no legal basis upon which to award a separate, 10 percent rating for tinnitus.

The veteran's request for separate 10 percent disability ratings for tinnitus in each ear is denied as there is no legal basis to award such ratings given the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent already assigned.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating allowed under Diagnostic Code 6260. The Board has determined that there is no legal basis for assigning a higher evaluation.

The VA Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding no current diagnosis of tinnitus in the medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of cold injury, to include arthritis of hands, legs, and feet. The evidence did not establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is properly evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

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

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

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, which is the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. There is no legal basis for an increased evaluation.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, to include based on assignment of a separate rating for each ear, is denied under both the old and new versions of the regulation.

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

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is already rated at the maximum allowed under the applicable rating criteria, and thus no higher rating can be granted.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is properly evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 10, 1999 for the grant of a separate 10 percent evaluation for tinnitus is denied as the change in rating criteria occurred on that date and he was already entitled to a 30 percent disability rating prior to then.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no basis for a higher rating or to reopen the claim of service connection.