The veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum allowed, and he meets the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.
The deciding factor: The veteran's combined evaluation of service-connected disabilities (80%) exceeds the threshold required for TDIU, and his psychiatric disability renders him unemployable in most jobs.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, dysthymic disorder (claimed as an acquired psychiatric disorder), chondromalacia of the right knee with recurrent subluxation, residuals of a right shoulder separation, residuals of a left shoulder separation, chondromalacia of the right knee, limitation of flexion of the right knee, limitation of extension of the left knee, fracture of the left wrist, hairline fracture of the 3rd metacarpal of the left hand
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- October 29, 2008
- Citation
- 0837319
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 0837319.
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.
- 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.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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