The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were found to meet the criteria for a combined disability rating greater than 80 percent from July 29, 1997, to August 9, 2001, and greater than 90 percent from August 9, 2001, to June 27, 2002. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to March 13, 2007.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s service-connected disabilities met the percentage rating standards for TDIU but were found insufficient to render him unemployable due to his educational background and previous employment history.
- Claimed conditions
- Arteriosclerotic heart disease with history of chest pain, Degenerative disc disease of L4-L5 with disc bulging and neuroforaminal narrowing with degenerative joint disease, Tension headaches, Residual of restrictive lung disease, Mild cervical spine disc disease at C3-C4, Patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee, Patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee, Tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 16, 2018
- Citation
- 18142173
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 18142173.
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: Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's initial evaluation for tension headaches to include migraines is granted, with a rating of 50 percent effective from May 23, 2023.
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