The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, IBS, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine were all granted with effective dates of May 29, 2014. The claim for a higher rating for tinnitus was denied as there is no legal basis for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 6260. The claims for service connection for left shoulder disability and cervical spine disability were not addressed due to the remand instructions.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus was denied as there is no legal basis for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 6260, which applies to single ear or bilateral tinnitus. The other claims were not addressed due to the remand instructions.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), left shoulder disability, hypertension, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 9, 2018
- Citation
- 1808454
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 1808454.
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 hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- 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.
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