The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered individually and combined, do not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on their severity alone. However, his age and other medical conditions are deemed to contribute to his unemployability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's anxiety disability is rated at 30%, which does not meet the percentage rating standards for TDIU. His service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining sedentary gainful employment, as they only result in mild occupational impairment and are outweighed by his age and other medical conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Anxiety, Residuals of frostbite of the right foot (rated 20%), Residuals of frostbite of the left foot (rated 20%), Residuals of frostbite of the ears (rated 10%), Right knee scar residuals of shell fragment wounds (noncompensable)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- April 26, 2013
- Citation
- 1314001
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 1314001.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety, and Depression as these conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's active military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a 70 percent disability rating for his psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with MDD and anxiety, has been granted. However, the issue of entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to procedural issues.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's lay statements and medical records are considered in determining whether there is a nexus between current symptoms and service.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress was granted, effective January 17, 2024. The Board has now granted an earlier effective date of May 31, 2019.
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