The Veteran's request for self-employment assistance through VA's Vocational Rehabilitation program was denied because his chosen vocational goal of owning a cabaret-style bar/restaurant is not considered suitable given his service-connected disabilities and lack of financial resources.
The deciding factor: VA determined that the proposed plan for self-employment as a night club owner/operator is not feasible due to the Veteran's severe service-connected disabilities, alcohol abuse history, and lack of financial investment or risk.
- Claimed conditions
- depressive disorder with PTSD, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, ulnar nerve injury, left and right knee disabilities, a left foot condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 5, 2017
- Citation
- 1710752
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1710752.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for hypertension, left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and a left foot condition must be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The claim for an effective date of February 25, 2024 for bipolar disorder is granted.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran has withdrawn their appeal regarding increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder, service connection for left and right knee disabilities, and entitlement to a total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU). As a result, the Board dismisses this appeal.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to their death.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral flatfoot, and left and right knee disabilities have been granted with effective dates of December 5, 2020. The Board found that the Veteran had submitted new evidence to reopen her claims.
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