The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been denied. The maximum schedular rating (10%) for recurrent tinnitus has already been awarded, and an extraschedular rating is not warranted due to the absence of evidence indicating marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's tinnitus was rated under Diagnostic Code 6260, which only allows a maximum schedular rating of 10%. The Board found that there was no evidence supporting an extraschedular rating due to the absence of factors such as marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- October 31, 2019
- Citation
- A19002397
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- 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 tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of April 25, 2022, for the award of service connection for tinnitus and a 100 percent initial rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder.
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