The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, degenerative changes consistent with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis or gout of the left wrist, peripheral neuropathy affecting multiple extremities, and bilateral hearing loss, preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total rating based on individual unemployability.
The deciding factor: The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his heart condition, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy, significantly limit his ability to engage in substantial gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, degenerative changes consistent with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis or gout of the left wrist, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- January 26, 2007
- Citation
- 0702445
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 0702445.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- 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.
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