The March 13, 1970 and November 16, 1970 rating decisions granted service connection for multiple disabilities but denied a claim of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The veteran's combined schedular evaluation was increased to 80 percent. These decisions are considered final.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the veteran was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities at the time of the March 13, 1970 and November 16, 1970 rating decisions.
- Claimed conditions
- Multiple disabilities including scars, disfiguring face, blindness of the right eye with only light perception, facial nerve paralysis, avulsion fracture, loss of smell
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- January 27, 2003
- Citation
- 0301495
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 0301495.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran was awarded service connection for allergic rhinitis based on the PACT Act, but an earlier effective date prior to August 10, 2022, is not warranted.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for left foot joint arthritis, left ankle joint arthritis, right ankle joint arthritis, right foot joint arthritis, and loss of smell. The Board also denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for bilateral tinnitus.
- Denied
The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected loss of smell as it was determined that the loss of smell did not meet the criteria for a complete loss, which is required for a 10 percent rating.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder, TMJ and bruxism, and headaches but denied it for loss of smell.
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