The Board denied increased ratings for tinnitus, left ankle degenerative joint disease, and surgical scars, as well as earlier effective dates for service connection for right ankle strain with degenerative joint disease, right Charcot foot, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.
The deciding factor: The current 10 percent rating for tinnitus is the maximum schedular rating available. The Veteran's left ankle degenerative joint disease was rated as 20 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating permitted for limited motion of the ankle. The criteria for a compensable disability rating for surgical scars were not met.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, left ankle degenerative joint disease, status post ankle reconstruction, surgical scars, low back and left ankle, right ankle strain with degenerative joint disease, right Charcot foot, right lower extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 30, 2025
- Citation
- A25048067
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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