The VA determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The VA found that while the Veteran has significant service-connected disabilities, his unemployability is more likely due to other factors such as age and multiple nonservice-connected health conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder injury with rotator cuff tear and degenerative joint disease, left distal fibula fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- November 12, 2009
- Citation
- 0943169
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 0943169.
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 Board denied a temporary evaluation of 100 percent for the Veteran's left distal fibula fracture based on surgical or other treatment necessitating convalescence.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective October 31, 2011. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating and TDIU have been dismissed due to his death.
- Denied
The Board finds that the Veteran's current disabilities, including closed head injury, orbital and maxillary fractures, cervical vertebra fracture, thoracic spine fracture, left distal fibula fracture, left foot injuries, upper arm fracture, eye visual field impairment, hearing loss, rib fractures, pneumothorax, scapula fracture, dysphagia, sinus disease, and headaches, are not causally or etiologically related to his active service or a finding that the disabilities are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected bilateral knee disability.
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