The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 22, 2010 was denied because the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities rendered him incapable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment.
The deciding factor: The Board found that during the year prior to December 22, 2010, the Veteran worked full-time and had no significant issues with his employment due to his service-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- depressive disorder, cephalgia, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, bilateral knee disabilities, bilateral hip strains, bilateral ankle degenerative joint disease, tinnitus, vertigo
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- September 5, 2018
- Citation
- 18131765
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 18131765.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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