The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, finding that a single 10 percent rating is warranted under Diagnostic Code 6260 since March 1987. The Board concluded that separate ratings for each ear are not appropriate due to the nature of tinnitus as a single disease entity.
The deciding factor: The veteran's service-connected tinnitus has been rated at 10 percent since March 1987, and there is no evidence of meeting criteria for higher evaluation under any version of Diagnostic Code 6260. The Board found that separate ratings for each ear are not warranted due to the nature of tinnitus as a single disease entity.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- September 2, 2003
- Citation
- 0322391
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0322391.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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