The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as the previous VA examination did not consider the collective impact of all his service-connected disabilities on employment.
The deciding factor: The previous VA examiner did not assess the combined effect of all the Veteran’s service-connected conditions on his ability to work, which was a pre-decisional error.
- Claimed conditions
- ischemic heart disease, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes, right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy - sciatic nerve associated with diabetes, left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy - sciatic nerve associated with diabetes, diabetic peripheral sensory neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, tinnitus associated with bilateral hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy left upper extremity - associated with diabetes, right arm neuropathy associated with diabetes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 20, 2020
- Citation
- A20015812
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 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 multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board grants service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus began during his period of active duty service. The claims for ischemic heart disease, aortic valve replacement, status post aortic stenosis, and peripheral vascular disease with popliteal aneurysm are remanded.
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