The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and work experiences.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral pes planus with bilateral hallux valgus, chronic low back pain with lumbosacral strain and degenerative changes, tension vascular headaches, residuals of an internal derangement of the right knee, arthritis of the right knee, a history of left knee injury with X-ray evidence of traumatic arthritis, left knee instability, rhecidulopathy of the right lower extremity associated with chronic low back pain with lumbosacral strain and degenerative changes, rhecidulopathy of the left lower extremity associated with chronic low back pain with lumbosacral strain and degenerative changes, limitation of extension of each knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- January 11, 2016
- Citation
- 1601038
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 1601038.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues related to service connection for various conditions and disability ratings.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeal as to the issues of entitlement to increased disability ratings for left foot metatarsalgia, tinnitus, left wrist disability, right foot plantar warts, and for service connection for right foot plantar warts at a September 2024 hearing. Service connection was granted for migraines.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU rating.
- Denied
The Board denied increased disability ratings for left knee limitation of flexion and left knee instability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
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.