The veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral tinnitus and hearing loss disability was denied as there is no legal basis for the assignment of a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus, and the criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability have not been met.
The deciding factor: The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus has been assigned the maximum schedular rating available (10%), as there is no legal basis upon which to award separate schedular evaluations for tinnitus in each ear. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet the numerical criteria for an increased rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- December 18, 2006
- Citation
- 0639224
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 0639224.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Partly granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted, while fibromyalgia, internal or external hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss, and neuropathy are denied.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding it at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.
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