The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. The Board found that an extraschedular evaluation was not warranted due to lack of marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms, including difficulty concentrating and discerning spoken words clearly, occasional dizziness, and sleep disturbance, were not considered to be related to his tinnitus as the service connection for these issues was denied. The Board found that an extraschedular evaluation was not warranted based on lack of 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
- June 12, 2019
- Citation
- 19145435
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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