The VA determined that the veteran's tinnitus warrants a maximum 10 percent disability rating, effective June 13, 2003. The decision found no need for separate evaluations for each ear and concluded that the criteria in place at the time of the January 2001 rating decision did not limit tinnitus to a single evaluation.
The deciding factor: The VA General Counsel held that separate ratings for tinnitus bilaterally are not allowed under Diagnostic Code 6260, as it was interpreted prior to June 13, 2003. The veteran's claim for higher evaluations based on bilateral tinnitus is denied.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 13, 2004
- Citation
- 0422288
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 0422288.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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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