The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities, including diabetes, hypertension, left arm/hand hemiparesis, and a substance abuse disorder, do not permanently prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. As he failed to report for a VA medical examination without good cause, his claim is denied.
The deciding factor: The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities are not permanent enough to render him unemployable under the 'average person' test and do not meet the percentage requirements of 38 C.F.R. § 4.16 for a combined rating of at least 70% due to multiple service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, hypertension, left arm/hand hemiparesis, substance abuse disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 1, 2006
- Citation
- 0602774
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
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