Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and service, nor any nexus with tinnitus. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for his low back disorder and tinnitus are still at issue. The Board found that the criteria were not met for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disease of the lumbosacral spine prior to November 21, 2000, and a rating higher than 20 percent as of this date and thereafter. For tinnitus, the veteran is not entitled to separate 10 percent disability ratings as a matter of law. There was no CUE in the December 1994 rating by not granting service connection for tinnitus.

The veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for bilateral tinnitus, PTSD, and traumatic arthritis of the feet were denied as there was no evidence to support a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to 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 new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus. However, after reviewing all available evidence, including VA examinations and treatment records, the Board found no medical nexus linking the current tinnitus to active military service.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus was assigned the maximum rating of 10 percent and is not entitled to a higher evaluation.

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

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, or that any such disability was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for a skin rash of the elbows, a back disability, bilateral hip and knee disabilities, residuals of dislocation of the right middle finger, and a tail bone disability. Service connection was granted for tinnitus with an initial rating of 0 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current left ear hearing loss or tinnitus, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus, finding that no informal claim was filed prior to October 2001.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus can be adjudicated. The veteran's claim will be remanded to allow for further examination and consideration of his claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral tinnitus, finding that a higher schedular rating is not available as there is only one possible evaluation under the VA Rating Schedule.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for separate 10 percent disability ratings for each ear for his bilateral tinnitus, finding that such a rating is not allowed under current regulations.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating greater than 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus, finding that only a single evaluation is assignable for bilateral tinnitus under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The Board has dismissed the appellant's appeal due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The veteran's initial claim for service connection and increased rating for hearing loss was granted. The RO assigned a non-compensable rating until October 23, 2002, then upgraded to 20 percent effective from October 24, 2002. For tinnitus, the veteran received a 10 percent rating since June 10, 1999.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his tinnitus and proper notification regarding effective date issues.