The veteran's claim for separate 10 percent ratings for each ear for his service-connected tinnitus is denied as the version of Diagnostic Code 6260 in effect prior to June 2003 precludes an evaluation in excess of a single 10-percent rating.
The deciding factor: VA's longstanding interpretation that a single 10-percent disability rating is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 6260, regardless of whether the tinnitus is perceived as unilateral or bilateral.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- July 19, 2006
- Citation
- 0621087
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 0621087.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, service connection for chronic sinusitis and bilateral tinnitus, granted a 50 percent initial rating for PTSD, and remanded the claims for an increased rating for PTSD and service connection for a somatic disorder.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus. The claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); hypertension; and cerebrovascular accident residuals were remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, functional abdominal pain syndrome/abdominal pain and bloating, respiratory insufficiency (dyspnea), but granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The decision also addressed the initial rating of IBS, finding it not compensable.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and a cervical spine disability. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea was remanded.
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