The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable due to his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
The deciding factor: VA medical opinions and the Veteran's own statements indicate that he is capable of performing jobs adapted to his physical limitations, but has chosen not to seek employment.
- Claimed conditions
- hemorrhoids with anal fistula and fissure, status-post fistulectomy and fissurectomy, arthritis, right knee, arthritis, left knee, flat feet, tinea pedis, bilateral feet
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- February 7, 2017
- Citation
- 1703667
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 1703667.
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 the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee arthritis, finding that it was aggravated by active duty. The preexisting condition worsened during service and is now considered service-connected.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, flat feet, unspecified anxiety disorder, and bottom lip scar.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions including back pain, flat feet, impaired eyesight, joint pain, neck pain, and sleep apnea.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for arthritis, right knee; lower back condition; right rib condition; and obstructive sleep apnea due to duty-to-assist errors. The AOJ is required to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.
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