The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 10, 2001.
The deciding factor: The combined rating of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities was less than 70% at all times relevant to this decision.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired Psychiatric Disorder, Headaches, Left Foot Disorder (Status-post bunionectomy with k-wire fixation of the left 1st metatarsal phalangeal joint and arthroplasty of 2nd proximal interphalangeal joint), Right Foot Disorder (Status-post bunionectomy with k-wire fixation of the right 1st metatarsal phalangeal joint and arthroplasty of 2nd proximal interphalangeal joint), Neuritis of Toes 1 and 2, Right Knee Disorder (Degenerative arthritis changes in the medial compartments and femorotibial joint), Left Knee Disorder (Degenerative arthritis changes in the medial compartments and femorotibial joint)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- April 3, 2017
- Citation
- 1710455
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 1710455.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Denied
The claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, memory loss/memory problems, chronic fatigue, sleep difficulties/sleep disturbances, and sleep apnea have been denied. The claim for service connection for residuals of testicular denervation and varicosectomy has been granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted a 70% rating, effective July 15, 2024. The Veteran's GERD remains at a 10% rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for obstructive sleep apnea and headaches, finding that the evidence does not support a finding of persistent daytime hypersomnolence or other manifestations consistent with a compensable disability rating under the criteria established by Diagnostic Codes. The matter is remanded to obtain additional information from the Veteran regarding his headaches and their impact on his daily life.
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