The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The veteran has multiple service-connected conditions, but his combined rating does not preclude him from engaging in substantial gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- Fracture of the mandible, Postoperative residuals of a fractured right mandible, Paralysis of the seventh cranial nerve, Postoperative residuals of a patellectomy and meniscectomy of the right knee, Postoperative residuals of a meniscectomy of the left knee, Traumatic deviated nasal septum, Headaches as a result of a head injury, Scars of the face, Right trigeminal nerve paresthesia, Left trigeminal nerve paresthesia, Residuals of a right ankle fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 24, 2000
- Citation
- 0004849
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0004849.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted an initial 70 percent rating for PTSD with TBI, a 20 percent rating effective July 13, 2023 for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and thoracic disc degeneration, and a separate 10 percent rating effective July 13, 2023 for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The Board denied higher ratings for cervical spine conditions, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and other conditions including hearing loss, fractured finger, and deviated nasal septum, while remanding two issues for further consideration.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, but denied increased ratings for COPD, chronic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, lumbosacral strain, migraine with chronic headaches, and residuals of a right ankle fracture. The Veteran was granted TDIU from January 12, 2022.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, scars of the face, psychiatric disorder, and traumatic brain injury.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for residuals of a right ankle fracture, left knee degenerative arthritis, and degenerative spondylosis of the lumbar spine.
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