The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from pursuing gainful employment compatible with his education and occupational background, thus the claim for a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability is denied.
The deciding factor: The veteran's combined service-connected disability evaluation is 60 percent, which does not meet the schedular criteria for a total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).
- Claimed conditions
- PO status, multiple bilateral inguinal hernia repairs, left medial meniscectomy, right ilioinguinal nerve entrapment, external cutaneous nerve of the right thigh entrapment
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 5, 2000
- Citation
- 0026738
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 0026738.
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: Dismissed
The appeal for entitlement to a compensable rating for left knee limitation of flexion, separate compensable rating for knee limitation of extension prior to October 29, 2020, and rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee limitation of extension from October 29, 2020 to November 24, 2021 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter were dismissed. The appeal was also denied for a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability from April 30, 2014 to July 27, 2020, a 20 percent rating for left knee instability from July 27, 2020 to October 29, 2020, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee instability for the period beginning on October 29, 2020.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left knee disability was denied. The highest warranted rating of 20 percent has been assigned for each issue, including meniscectomy residuals, instability, limitation of flexion, and limitation of extension.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to missed VA examinations and the need for updated medical records. The case will be reviewed after these additional actions are completed.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for service-connected post-operative residuals of left medial meniscectomy and limitation of extension of the left knee. The claim for TDIU is referred to the AOJ.
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