The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder with alcohol abuse, below the knee amputation of the left leg, degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, and left hip tendonitis, have rendered him unemployable. The vocational goal of becoming a lawyer has been identified as feasible given his educational background and skills.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and retaining employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests; thus, he has an employment handicap that can be overcome through training in law school and bar review courses.
- Claimed conditions
- Major depressive disorder with alcohol abuse, Below the knee amputation of the left leg, Degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, Left hip tendonitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 90%
- Decision date
- April 1, 2011
- Citation
- 1112991
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 1112991.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, effective February 2, 2020.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 40 percent rating for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine and a separate 10 percent rating from March 21, 2016 to October 20, 2024 for right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the service-connected lumbosacral spine condition. The claim for an increased rating for the right shoulder acromioclavicular separation was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates, as well as a TDIU claim, due to additional evidence received after the last SOC and the need for an updated examination.
- Denied
The Veteran's right and left hip tendonitis are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that they do not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.
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