Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was denied. The RO assigned the maximum 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss effective to January 1, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, are not related to his military service. The VA examinations found no direct link between these conditions and his time in active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a new audiological examination. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss will be returned to the RO after ensuring full compliance with VCAA requirements. The issue of an increased rating for bilateral tinnitus will also be remanded for issuance of a statement of the case (SOC).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for separate compensable evaluations for tinnitus in each ear, as well as his request for an earlier effective date for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. The decision affirmed the RO's denial of these claims based on existing regulations and precedent opinions.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus was denied. The effective date of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and the assignment of a noncompensable rating is not earlier than January 31, 2001. However, an effective date prior to August 12, 2002, for the grant of a 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted.,The veteran's claim for increased tinnitus ratings in each ear was denied as separate ratings are not allowed under current VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral eye disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to in-service noise exposure, while his tinnitus was found to have its inception in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus, currently rated at 10 percent. The maximum schedular evaluation available is a single 10 percent rating for recurrent tinnitus.

The veteran's claim for separate compensable evaluations for tinnitus in each ear is denied as the current rating criteria do not allow for such a division.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected tinnitus was denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is already assigned, and separate ratings for each ear are not allowed under current regulations.

The VA has determined that the appellant is receiving the maximum schedular evaluation for tinnitus, which is a single disability evaluated at 10 percent. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected bilateral tinnitus is denied.

The veteran's PTSD with panic attacks and agoraphobia is rated at 30 percent disabling from December 12, 2000. The veteran's bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's tinnitus and his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for separate 10 percent disability ratings for bilateral tinnitus, finding that only a single 10 percent rating is authorized under current regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active military service, and thus denied the claims for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is no competent and probative evidence linking current tinnitus to his military service.

The veteran's claim for separate compensable evaluations for tinnitus in each ear is denied as the law does not allow for such ratings under current VA regulations.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for bilateral tinnitus, including entitlement to separate evaluations for each ear, is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has already been granted.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to have originated during his active military service, warranting the grant of service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus has been denied as the maximum schedular rating is already assigned.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have right ear hearing loss disability as defined by VA standards and there is no medical evidence linking left ear hearing loss or tinnitus to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.