The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU rating, and he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
- Claimed conditions
- radiculopathy, left lower extremity, sciatic associated with chronic low back syndrome with degenerative disc disease, T11-S1, thoracolumbar spine, intervertebral disc syndrome, tinnitus, bilateral high frequency hearing loss, burn, left foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- November 15, 2016
- Citation
- 1643472
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 1643472.
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 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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