The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected left calf muscle injury does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, and he did not meet the criteria for TDIU prior to August 25, 2010.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to August 25, 2010 is denied as his combined service-connected disability rating was less than 70% at that time.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s left calf muscle injury does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.
- Claimed conditions
- left rotator cuff tear of the supraspinatus tendon, status post repair, left calf muscle injury
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 20, 2018
- Citation
- 1810824
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 1810824.
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 additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the TDIU issue. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, referral to the Director, Compensation Service, for consideration of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis is warranted.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's headaches are not service-connected as they did not have their onset in service and were not found to be related to his service.,The left calf muscle injury is not considered secondary to the service-connected right knee osteoarthritis.,Lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was also not found to be service-connected.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 25, 2012 for a 20% rating for left calf muscle injury is denied as there was no factual increase in severity within one year prior to the claim.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, lumbar muscle injury, right lower abdomen muscle injury, right thigh muscle injury, and left calf muscle injury are all rated based on their current severity. The Board has found that a higher rating is warranted for the period prior to May 14, 2015, but remanded for further development of his claims due to lack of recent VA examinations and outstanding treatment records.
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.