The Veteran's service connected disabilities, including arthrodesis of the left elbow, rated as 50 percent disabling, left ulnar neuropathy, rated as 20 percent disabling, left knee arthritis, rated as 20 percent disabling, residuals of a fracture of the left tibia, rated as 10 percent disabling, scars of the left arm, rated as 10 percent disabling, and a scar of the left knee, rated as 10 percent disabling, render the Veteran unemployable. Total disability ratings for compensation purposes may be assigned where the schedular rating is less than total, when it is found that the disabled person is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of a single service-connected disability ratable at 60 percent or more, or as a result of two or more disabilities, provided at least one disability is ratable at 40 percent or more, and there is sufficient additional service-connected disability to bring the combined rating to 70 percent or more.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service connected disabilities render him unemployable due to his physical conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- left ulnar neuropathy, residuals of a fracture of the left tibia, radial nerve damage of the left upper extremity, arthritis of the wrist (including carpometacarpal and pantrapezial arthritis), neck pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 28, 2011
- Citation
- 1140245
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 1140245.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back pain and neck pain, finding no current disability. The claim for Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is remanded due to inadequate consideration of all potential exposures.,The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) is also remanded due to a lack of development of the Veteran's therapist's records.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions including back pain, flat feet, impaired eyesight, joint pain, neck pain, and sleep apnea.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to errors in duty to assist and need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's pre-existing conditions are being evaluated, as is his current symptoms.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for neck pain, right knee pain, and right shoulder pain. The claim for migraine headaches was also denied. The case is remanded for further action on the obstructive sleep apnea claim.
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