The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his somatoform disorder and various musculoskeletal issues, do not render him individually unemployable.
The deciding factor: The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions, when considered in conjunction with his education and occupational experience, are insufficient to preclude participation in all forms of substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- somatoform disorder, degenerative joint disease of the right ankle, degenerative joint disease of the left ankle, heel spurs with degenerative joint disease of the right foot, heel spurs of the left foot, lumbosacral strain, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, lymphomas of the back, abdomen, and arms (status post excision)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 19, 2004
- Citation
- 0428647
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 0428647.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, asthma, melasma and hydradenitis, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression, anxiety, and stress), left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, a left foot disorder, and IBS have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of a lumbosacral strain, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that it is related to his in-service injury. The claimant did not contest this decision.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, including degenerative arthritis and IVDS. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury during active duty and his continuous symptoms since then.
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