The Veteran's combined disability rating from service-connected conditions is 80%, which meets the threshold for a TDIU. However, his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's diabetes and associated neuropathies prevent him from driving commercial vehicles and impair his occupational functioning further due to loss of balance and decreased manual dexterity.
- Claimed conditions
- Coronary artery disease, Diabetic nephropathy, Diabetes mellitus, type II, Right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, Left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, Right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, Left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- December 15, 2015
- Citation
- 1552473
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 1552473.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart condition was granted with an effective date of August 1, 2019. The decision is based on evidence showing exposure to diesel and gas fuel during service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's TDIU and DEA claims are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors prior to the rating decision on review. The effective date for TDIU is set at January 31, 2021, based on the last day of employment. However, the RO needs to obtain SSA records regarding earnings from July 2020 to January 31, 2021, to determine if the Veteran's employment was marginal.
- Granted
The rating reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for the service-connected right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was improper, and restoration of the 20 percent rating is granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for the right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's GERD, neck disability, right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy have been granted service connection with effective dates of September 27, 2023.
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