The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including those of the right forearm and left mandible/cheek, are currently rated at 20 percent each. The combined rating is 70 percent, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. However, his current disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at their maximum under the applicable diagnostic codes and do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as they do not result in more severe impairment of muscle groups or other conditions that would warrant an increased rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of SFW to the right (major) forearm, with retained foreign bodies, Residuals of a fracture of the left (minor) humerus, Residuals of SFW to the ramus of the left mandible, SFW scar on the left cheek, with a history of involvement of the seventh cranial nerve, Residuals of a fracture of the left (minor) forearm (radius and ulna), Scar on the left (minor) hand, Scar on the left pectoralis major area (skin graft donor site), Bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 17, 2000
- Citation
- 0030136
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 0030136.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals of the initial ratings for his service-connected chronic cough and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to procedural errors in the evidentiary record.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.
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