The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to September 11, 2015. The Board found that his service-connected conditions were not of sufficient severity to produce unemployability.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence showed that the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities (diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathies, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss) did not meet the criteria for a referral of his claim to the Director, Compensation System under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).
- Claimed conditions
- Dementia, Bilateral hearing loss, Peripheral neuropathy (right upper extremity), Peripheral neuropathy (left upper extremity), Peripheral neuropathy (left lower extremity), Peripheral neuropathy (right lower extremity)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- January 7, 2021
- Citation
- 21001113
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 21001113.
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 a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals of the initial ratings for his service-connected chronic cough and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to procedural errors in the evidentiary record.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.
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