Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board denied an increased evaluation for tinnitus, finding that the current rating criteria do not allow for separate evaluations for each ear and that there is no legal basis to award such a higher evaluation.

The veteran does not have left ear or right ear hearing loss that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated during active military service, and his tinnitus is not related to service.

The veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are granted, including organic brain damage, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, multiple joint pain, tinnitus, chronic diarrhea, and headaches.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from obtaining and retaining employment consistent with her abilities, aptitudes, and interests; she does not have an employment handicap.

The veteran's initial ratings for bipolar disorder and bronchitis have been granted. The veteran is entitled to a compensable rating for his left ankle fracture, effective March 29, 2004. His claim of entitlement to separate 10 percent ratings for tinnitus in each ear lacks legal merit. He is not entitled to a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's claim for separate ratings for bilateral tinnitus was denied as the disability is rated under a single diagnostic code and does not allow for separate evaluations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's hearing problems began in service due to noise exposure. The Board also found service connection for residuals of a broken nose, attributing this to an inservice injury.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes, but service connection is granted for tinnitus as it was incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred in or a result of military service and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a right knee, back, hearing loss, or tinnitus disorder in service and denied the veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an examination and additional development of evidence related to the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD are pending.

The veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus has been denied as the maximum schedular evaluation is already assigned.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying the veteran's status as a combat veteran and scheduling an audiological examination to determine the nature and extent of his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The VA has determined that the appellant's service-connected tinnitus, rated at 10 percent, is not entitled to a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation.

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

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and consideration of his claims, including service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as a compensable rating for scars. The case will be returned to the Board after additional development.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for tinnitus has been denied as only one 10 percent rating is available under the applicable VA regulations.

The veteran's claim for separate ratings for bilateral tinnitus was denied as the presence of bilateral tinnitus does not allow for separate ratings under VA regulations.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss was not incurred in or as a result of his active service and denied his claim for service connection.