The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and therefore denied his claim for TDIU.
The deciding factor: VA treatment records showed stable rheumatoid arthritis and right knee disability, with no evidence of unemployability due to these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints, avascular necrosis of the medial femoral condyle of the right knee with degenerative changes and postoperative right knee replacement, bilateral Morton's neurectomies of the second interspace
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 25, 2002
- Citation
- 0203796
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 0203796.
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 Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain clarification on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis, including whether it had its onset during or within one year of service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has determined that there is new and material evidence to support reopening of his claims. The appeals are remanded for further development including VA examinations and opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran’s current conditions and his military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints, left shoulder, right wrist, left wrist, left hand, right hand, and left knee were evaluated based on their respective disabilities. The rating was granted for the left shoulder, wrists, hands, hips/thighs, and knees.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants a TDIU.
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