The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to August 22, 2006 is denied as the evidence does not show she was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran was employed up until July 12, 2006 when she sustained an ankle injury. The right ankle disability was not service-connected at that time, and the Veteran did not seek service connection for it until August 29, 2006. Therefore, her unemployability prior to August 22, 2006 is not supported by the facts.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar degenerative disc disease, gastric ulcer, right leg radiculopathy due to lumbar degenerative disc disease, posttraumatic stress disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 4, 2011
- Citation
- 1117280
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 1117280.
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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- Remanded (sent back)
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