The Veteran's combined disability rating is at least 90%, but the Board finds that his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has multiple service-connected disabilities, including depression and gastrointestinal issues. However, he was found to have no work limitations due to these conditions and is capable of independent self-care. His unemployment is attributed to his mental health condition rather than the physical impairments alone.
- Claimed conditions
- depressive disorder with anxious features, Barrett's esophagus/ gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)/ hiatal hernia, transverse myelitis lesion at T3, tinnitus, irritable bowel syndrome, residuals of bimaleloar and distal fibular fracture, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, residuals of the right foot calcaneal stress fracture and 3rd toe injury with degenerative changes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 90%
- Decision date
- November 9, 2012
- Citation
- 1238487
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 1238487.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- 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.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.