The Veteran's appeal was denied as there is no legal basis for an increased rating higher than 10 percent for tinnitus, and service connection for PTSD, depression, vertigo, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and arthritis of the feet were not established. The claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities remains pending.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as there was no legal basis for an increase in rating for tinnitus, and service connection could not be established for PTSD, depression, vertigo, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, or arthritis of the feet.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, depression, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, arthritis of bilateral feet
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 7, 2018
- Citation
- 1807865
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1807865.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Whole decision: 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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