The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating allowed under VA guidelines.,Diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent and does not meet criteria for a higher rating as it does not require insulin or restricted diet regulation.,Erectile dysfunction is not deformed to warrant a compensable rating.,TDIU was denied prior to February 28, 2013 due to the Veteran's previous employment. TDIU was granted beginning February 28, 2013.,The Veteran was found to be marginally employed and thus eligible for TDIU beginning February 28, 2013.
The deciding factor: There is no legal basis to award an increased rating for tinnitus as the maximum schedular rating has already been assigned.,Diabetes mellitus does not require insulin or restricted diet regulation and thus does not meet criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction did not present with physical deformity, which would warrant a compensable rating under DC 7522.,Prior to February 28, 2013, the Veteran was gainfully employed. Therefore, TDIU was denied as he could still perform substantial gainful employment.,Beginning February 28, 2013, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 17, 2022
- Citation
- 22009508
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 22009508.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- 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.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.