The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, as his combined rating is 40 percent and does not meet the schedular requirements. The Board finds that the Veteran's unemployability is due to a pre-existing work accident rather than his service-connected conditions.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's employment history shows he was previously capable of flying airplanes and engaging in sports, but lost his ability to work due to a 1993 industrial accident. His current service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from being employed.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals, right knee injury, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- August 1, 2012
- Citation
- 1226650
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 1226650.
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's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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