The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus is denied. The effective date for service connection of tinnitus is denied as there was no earlier request prior to February 7, 2008. TDIU is granted.
The deciding factor: The maximum schedular rating available for tinnitus is 10 percent and the Veteran's tinnitus is already rated at 10 percent. The effective date of service connection cannot be earlier than February 7, 2008 as there was no prior request to open a claim for tinnitus.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), right shoulder disability, right wrist disability, right-hand disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- February 12, 2020
- Citation
- 20011796
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 20011796.
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 Veteran's right shoulder disability and migraines/chronic headaches are remanded for additional development due to insufficient opinions on the etiology of her conditions.
- 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA 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.
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