The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including several orthopedic conditions and bipolar disorder, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms and their impact are attributable to multiple factors, including his service-connected disabilities and non-service-connected conditions such as ACC and mental health issues. The Board cannot determine the extent of disability due solely to service-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Right knee retropatellar pain syndrome, Left knee strain, De Quervain's tendinitis of the left wrist, Painful scar of the left wrist, Bipolar disorder, Lumbar strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- August 10, 2016
- Citation
- 1631871
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 1631871.
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 cervical spine strain, right wrist sprain, right knee strain, left knee strain, and right ankle strain. The disabilities are all deemed to have begun during the Veteran's active duty.
- Granted
The Board has granted effective dates of July 10, 2024 for service connection for PTSD, lumbar strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and other disabilities have been granted, including a TDIU based on his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's VR&E benefits were denied as she did not have an employment handicap and was found to be employable with her current skills, experience, and education. The appeal must be denied.
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