The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including frostbite residuals and hearing loss, do not render him unemployable due to their severity alone.
The deciding factor: The veteran's combined disability rating is 80%, meeting the minimum schedular requirements for a TDIU. However, his age and previous work experience are considered, indicating that he can still engage in substantially gainful employment despite his disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of frostbite of the right foot, Residuals of frostbite of the left foot, Residuals of frostbite of the right upper extremity, Residuals of frostbite of the left upper extremity, Bilateral hearing loss, Right ear otitis media, Tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- September 7, 2007
- Citation
- 0728228
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 0728228.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
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