The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular evaluation has been granted.,The Veteran's claim regarding a proposed reduction of his bilateral hearing loss disability rating from 30 percent to 10 percent is remanded. The matter of whether he warrants a higher disability rating since April 2016 will also be addressed.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded and the VA Director of Compensation Service must consider an extraschedular rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16 (b).
The deciding factor: The maximum schedular evaluation for tinnitus has been granted, making a higher rating unavailable.,The proposed reduction of the disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded as it has not yet been effectuated and further evidence may be needed to determine if the Veteran warrants a higher rating.,The TDIU claim requires consideration of whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when combined, prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, depressive disorder not otherwise specified, bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 25, 2018
- Citation
- 18144375
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 18144375.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- 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.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.