Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has been assigned and upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

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

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

The veteran's claim for separate compensable ratings for bilateral tinnitus was denied as there is no legal basis to award such ratings given the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has already been assigned.

The veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum allowable under the applicable rating criteria, and thus no higher evaluation can be granted.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is already assigned the maximum rating of 10 percent, and therefore a higher evaluation cannot be granted.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already assigned the maximum schedular rating available, so a higher rating is denied.

The veteran's single 10 percent evaluation for tinnitus is the maximum allowed under VA rating criteria.

The VA denied the veteran's request for an increased evaluation of tinnitus, stating that under Diagnostic Code 6260 there is no provision for assignment of a separate 10 percent evaluation for tinnitus in each ear. The veteran appealed this decision to the Board.

The veteran's claim for separate evaluations for tinnitus in each ear is denied as the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent has already been assigned.

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

The veteran's request for an increased evaluation for bilateral tinnitus was denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is already assigned under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The veteran's claim for a separate schedular 10 percent rating for tinnitus in each ear is denied as the current version of Diagnostic Code 6260 precludes separate evaluations.

The Board dismissed the appeal as there was no clear and unmistakable error in granting service connection for bilateral tinnitus with a single 10% evaluation.

The veteran's request for an increased evaluation for bilateral tinnitus was denied as there is no legal basis to award separate schedular evaluations for each ear.

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

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the March 1994 rating decision assigning a single 10% rating for tinnitus, as the correct facts were known at that time and the law was correctly applied.

The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the February 2001 rating decision, which granted service connection for tinnitus and assigned a 10 percent evaluation. The veteran's claim is denied.