Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
DeniedPACT Act

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been denied.,Claims for effective dates earlier than June 27, 2017 for service connection for radiculopathy, left lower extremity, femoral nerve; radiculopathy, right lower extremity femoral nerve; radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic nerve; radiculopathy, right lower extremity sciatic nerve; tinnitus; and, hearing loss have been denied.,Service connection for hypertension as due to herbicide exposure has been granted.,The previously denied claim for service connection for a cardiovascular disorder (claimed as ischemic heart disease) has been reopened. Service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) as due to herbicide exposure has also been granted.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities has been granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.,The claims for service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, sleep disability, prostate disability, diverticulitis, erectile dysfunction, cervical spine disability, hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, PTSD, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (LLE), femoral nerve, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE), femoral nerve, radiculopathy of the LLE sciatic nerve, and radiculopathy of the RLE sciatic nerve have been remanded.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's tinnitus is already assigned the maximum schedular rating available.,None of the claims for radiculopathy, left lower extremity, femoral nerve; radiculopathy, right lower extremity femoral nerve; radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic nerve; radiculopathy, right lower extremity sciatic nerve; tinnitus; and, hearing loss were filed prior to June 27, 2017.,The Veteran's hypertension is presumed due to herbicide exposure during service.,New evidence received subsequent to the August 2016 rating decision relates to a current diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD).,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.,The claims for service connection for radiculopathy, left lower extremity, femoral nerve; radiculopathy, right lower extremity femoral nerve; radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic nerve; radiculopathy, right lower extremity sciatic nerve; tinnitus; and, hearing loss have been remanded.,The claims for service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, sleep disability, prostate disability, diverticulitis, erectile dysfunction, cervical spine disability, hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, PTSD, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (LLE), femoral nerve, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE), femoral nerve, radiculopathy of the LLE sciatic nerve, and radiculopathy of the RLE sciatic nerve have been remanded.

Claimed conditions
tinnitus, hypertension, radiculopathy, left lower extremity, femoral nerve, radiculopathy, right lower extremity femoral nerve, radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic nerve, radiculopathy, right lower extremity sciatic nerve, bilateral hearing loss
How they argued it
Presumptive (no nexus needed)
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
December 16, 2022
Citation
22069308

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 22069308.

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.

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.