The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for TDIU, as his combined rating is 40 percent. The VA examiner concluded that he is unable to work due to fibromyalgia and chronic pain syndrome rather than from his service-connected back and knee strain.
The deciding factor: The Veteran is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically fibromyalgia and chronic pain syndrome, which are not related to his service-connected back and knee strains.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical strain, low back strain, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 30, 2012
- Citation
- 1203372
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 1203372.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew all his appeals, including the one for an increased rating for low back strain.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for athletes' foot, low back strain, and plantar fasciitis due to a lack of a VA examination prior to the August 2020 rating decision.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were granted effective from July 1, 2020.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to a procedural defect in filing the claims on the correct form.
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