The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus left him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from October 31, 2017, and prior to October 2, 2019.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from engaging in strenuous activity, walking for long periods, climbing ladders, going up and down stairs repeatedly, sitting for long periods due to paresthesia and rest pain or cramping, and performing activities requiring balance and coordination such as using a ladder.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- January 15, 2026
- Citation
- 26000582
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 26000582.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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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