The Veteran's single service-connected disability, residuals of an esophageal perforation, rated at 30 percent, does not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating. The Board finds that his other nonservice-connected disabilities and age do not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected residuals of an esophageal perforation are rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the minimum schedular criteria for TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). The Board also found that his other nonservice-connected disabilities and age do not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- esophageal perforation
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 14, 2011
- Citation
- 1106061
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1106061.
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: Granted
The Veteran's cause of death, esophageal perforation secondary to gastroesophageal cancer, is found to be related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange and other environmental factors. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an esophageal perforation and its residuals, as well as gastrointestinal discomfort, shortness of breath, painful scar, and an acquired psychiatric disorder with insomnia, has been denied because the evidence does not show that additional disability was incurred due to VA's carelessness or negligence.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to an esophageal perforation and its residuals is remanded as the existing record does not contain a medical opinion addressing this question.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran sustained an esophageal perforation during a VA-provided EGD procedure. The Board found that the perforation was not caused by any fault on the part of VA and denied compensation under 38 C.F.R. § 1151.
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