The veteran's persistent bilateral tinnitus, due to acoustic trauma, has been rated as 10 percent disabling since July 27, 1989. The Board found that a separate evaluation for tinnitus in each ear is not warranted.
The deciding factor: Tinnitus was initially assigned a 10% rating under the old schedular provisions due to its association with acoustic trauma and persistence. Since June 1999, the highest allowable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6260 is 10%, which applies as tinnitus in this case is not related to other causes such as brain tumor.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 17, 2004
- Citation
- 0422585
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 0422585.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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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