The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience.
The deciding factor: The veteran has a combined service-connected disability rating of 70%, which meets the percentage criteria for TDIU, but he is able to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his educational background and previous occupational experience.
- Claimed conditions
- amputation of the left arm above the elbow, residuals of a fracture of the right fibula, scar on the palm of the right hand, scar to the left upper thigh donor site for artery transfer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 13, 2002
- Citation
- 0202374
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 0202374.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's death is being reviewed due to his service-connected interstitial lung disease, which the Board finds may be related to his rheumatoid arthritis. The case must be remanded for further development.
- Whole decision: Granted
The veteran's right thumb disorder is now rated at 20 percent disabling, effective August 5, 2006. The other claims are denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to procedural deficiencies and incomplete medical examinations.
- Whole decision: Denied
The veteran's private medical expenses from August to September 1993 were not authorized and do not meet the criteria for reimbursement or payment.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.