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
- Not verified here — check the original 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 22009508.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
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