The Veteran's claim for tinnitus was denied as there is no current diagnosis. The claim for increased rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and the separate rating for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the femoral nerve due to diabetes mellitus were both denied. A staged rating of 40% for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve from May 26, 2012 was granted. The claim for increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was also denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's diabetes mellitus did not require regulation of activities as part of medical management due to his diabetes alone, which is a requirement for higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, back disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 12, 2024
- Citation
- 24034224
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 24034224.
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.
- 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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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