The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, considering his educational and occupational history.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show preclusion of employment due to the Veteran’s educational level or past employment. Rather, this evidence shows that, while the service-connected disabilities of the right foot and left arm do have an adverse impact on his physical capabilities, the Veteran is still nonetheless capable of performing the mental and physical acts required by employment.
- Claimed conditions
- left ulnar nerve damage with painful elbow extension, loss of use of left foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 26, 2018
- Citation
- 18160514
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 18160514.
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: Granted
The Veteran was awarded a TDIU on both a schedular and an extraschedular basis for his service-connected disabilities from July 20, 2012 through December 1, 2014.,The decision is based on the Veteran's inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected left foot disability and left upper extremity disabilities.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for hepatic steatosis, loss of use of his feet and hands, vision disability, renal condition, immune system dysfunction, cardiovascular condition, and psychological disability. The AOJ is instructed to schedule examinations for these conditions and provide a rationale for their relationship to service or secondary to RA.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to inadequate VA examination findings and the need for further clarification of his employment limitations.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's only service-connected disability is bilateral hearing loss. The other claimed conditions are not related to his hearing loss and do not meet the criteria for basic eligibility for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only.
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