The Veteran's tinnitus rating is restored to a 10 percent level.,The Veteran’s TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus had improved to the point that he was better able to function under ordinary conditions of life and work at the time of the rating reduction.,The Veteran’s combined disability rating is 70 percent, meeting the schedular requirements for TDIU. However, his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, diabetes, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- October 13, 2020
- Citation
- A20015494
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 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.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of April 25, 2022, for the award of service connection for tinnitus and a 100 percent initial rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder.
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