The veteran's combined service-connected disability rating is 70%, and he has overcome his employment handicap by securing and maintaining a job consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests.
The deciding factor: The veteran has successfully maintained employment as a psychology technician, which aligns with his pattern of abilities, aptitudes, and interests despite experiencing symptoms related to his service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- status post lumbar laminectomy with history of lumbar spine arthritis, right shoulder impingement syndrome, status post fracture of the left index finger with deformity, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, arthritis of the ankles and knees, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- October 26, 2001
- Citation
- 0125326
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 0125326.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The VA will obtain new opinions from different VA examiners to address whether the Veteran's conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service, including exposure during combat.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to January 31, 2023.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, finding no evidence linking his current condition to military service or any service-connected disability.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.
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