Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The veteran's claim for separate 10 percent ratings for each ear for his service-connected tinnitus is denied as the version of Diagnostic Code 6260 in effect prior to and after June 2003 precludes an evaluation in excess of a single 10 percent.

The veteran seeks an effective date earlier than July 27, 2001 for the awards of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. However, there was no pending claim for these conditions prior to July 27, 2001, when he filed a claim for an increased rating for otitis media.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's tinnitus is not related to service, and her claim for an increased rating for mixed headaches migraine and tension is denied. The veteran's shin splints are currently rated at the minimum level of disability.,The VA examiner found no evidence that the veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service or due to a service-connected condition. For the mixed headaches and tension, while the veteran reported symptoms consistent with migraines, she did not experience prostrating attacks as required for a higher rating. The veteran's shin splints are currently rated at 10 percent based on limitation of motion.

The veteran's appeal for a separate 10 percent disability evaluation for his service-connected tinnitus is denied as the condition already has a single 10 percent rating.

The veteran's claim for separate ratings for bilateral tinnitus is denied as a matter of law due to the interpretation of VA regulations.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to separate schedular 10 percent disability ratings for tinnitus in each ear is denied as there is no legal basis upon which to award such ratings.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already rated at the maximum allowed under VA regulations, and a separate rating for each ear is not warranted.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already assigned the maximum rating of 10 percent, and no separate evaluations are warranted.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is assigned a maximum 10 percent rating, and the Board finds no legal basis for assigning separate evaluations for each ear.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating allowed under Diagnostic Code 6260. The appeal for a higher evaluation has been denied as there is no legal basis to award separate ratings for each ear.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, and there is no legal basis to assign a separate rating for each ear.

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

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus, to include entitlement to separate evaluations for each ear, is denied as the maximum schedular rating available for tinnitus under applicable diagnostic code is 10 percent.

The veteran's tinnitus is already rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, so a separate rating for each ear is denied.

The veteran's tinnitus disability is already rated at the maximum allowed under VA rating criteria, and no separate ratings for each ear are warranted.

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

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling and the maximum schedular rating available for tinnitus is 10 percent. The appeal must be denied.

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