The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the percentage standards set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) and concluded that there is not sufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that the Veteran is unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's combined rating was found to be less than 70% prior to November 16, 2018, which did not meet the criteria for TDIU. The Board also noted that there was no evidence showing that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder (psychiatric disability), left and right foot cold-induced neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- November 2, 2022
- Citation
- 22061508
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 22061508.
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 appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- 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.
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