The Veteran is granted a TDIU, DEA, and SMC for statutory housebound during the period beginning January 31, 2023. His tinnitus remains rated at 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, meet the criteria for TDIU; he also has basic eligibility for DEA and SMC based on his disability rating and additional service-connected conditions. The tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 6260.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity sciatic nerve neuropathy, right lower extremity sciatic nerve neuropathy, tinnitus, left lower extremity femoral nerve neuropathy, right lower extremity femoral nerve neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- January 22, 2026
- Citation
- A26006075
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 A26006075.
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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