The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, tinnitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left ear hearing loss. His combined rating is 80 percent. The Board finds it necessary to remand the issue of entitlement to a TDIU due to lack of opinion on impact on work.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners did not provide a rationale for their conclusions regarding the Veteran's ability to work, and there is no evidence explaining the activities involved with his occupation as a cable repairman.
- Claimed conditions
- ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, tinnitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left ear hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 27, 2019
- Citation
- 19150378
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and bilateral vision condition was dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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