The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his current disability level does not warrant an increase.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating has been assigned.,The effective date of service connection for tinnitus is set at August 7, 2018, based on when the Veteran filed his current claim. The Veteran did not present any argument or evidence to support an earlier effective date.,The effective date for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss remains unchanged as there was no factual ascertainable increase within one year prior to the receipt of the claim.
The deciding factor: The November 2018 VA audiological examination results did not show that the Veteran's hearing impairment met or exceeded the criteria for a higher rating than 30 percent.,The maximum schedular rating (10%) has been assigned to tinnitus under Diagnostic Code 6260, as there is no exceptional pattern of hearing loss present in either ear.,There was no new and material evidence received within one year of the September 2011 denial decision for service connection of tinnitus. The claim was not reopened prior to August 7, 2018.,The effective date for increased rating claims is determined by when the claim was filed or when entitlement arose, whichever is later. In this case, the filing date (August 7, 2018) is considered the effective date.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 23, 2020
- Citation
- 20062743
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 20062743.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
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.
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