The Veteran has a combined rating of 100% for her service-connected disabilities. However, she does not have an employment handicap and has overcome the effects of her vocational impairment due to her service-connected conditions. Therefore, she is not entitled to additional vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at 100% combined, meeting the basic eligibility criteria for vocational rehabilitation benefits. However, she does not have an employment handicap and has overcome her vocational impairment due to these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, major depressive disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity (to include the median and ulnar nerves), diabetes mellitus type 2 with hyperlipidemia, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity (to include the median and ulnar nerves), diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, tronchanteric bursitis of the left hip, hypertension, cystocele with urinary incontinence, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist, cervical strain to include minor arthritis, lumbar strain to include minor arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- December 30, 2015
- Citation
- 1554362
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 1554362.
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.
- 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 Veteran's claim for specially-adapted housing assistance and a special home adaptation grant was denied because he does not meet the criteria for either benefit based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
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