The Board denied the Veteran's claims for TDIU and basic eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they are not severe enough to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The combined rating of 50% does not meet the requirement of at least one disability rated at 40% or more, with a combined rating of 70% or more.
- Claimed conditions
- fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar and cervical spine, neurogenic bladder, sarcoidosis, chronic headaches, depression, bilateral knee arthritis, left shoulder pain, right knee arthritis (residuals of anterior cruciate ligament repair), lumbago, bursitis/tendonitis, upper respiratory infection (URI)/hypertension (HTN)/irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), obesity, dry mouth, seizures, torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of the right knee, hemorrhoids, edema in bilateral feet and calves, bilateral hip pain, left knee pain, left foot damage, duodenitis, pain radiating down both upper extremities from shoulders to fingers, herniated discs in the cervical and thoracic spine, allergic reaction to own sweat, seborrheic dermatitis, leg weakness, back pain, sinusitis, joint pain, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), bone spurs, neuritis/neuralgia, chest pain, narcolepsy, excessive sweating, angina, sciatic pain, hearing problems, eye problems, osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 21, 2015
- Citation
- 1521921
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1521921.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for painful scars, but the rating assigned remains at 10 percent. The claims for fibromyalgia and bilateral shoulder disability are denied.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-service psychiatric treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, fibromyalgia, and vertigo. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or a service-connected disability.
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