The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
The deciding factor: VA examiners found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not create a significant occupational impairment for him, and his ability to work was impacted by other factors such as dizziness, memory loss, and headaches.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic Brain Injury, Ischemic Heart Disease (post-surgical aortocoronary bypass, coronary artery bypass grafting twice), Sensorineural Hearing Loss of the Left Ear, Residuals of shrapnel fragment wound of the left temporal area (mandibular area) - Fractured Mandible with Retained Foreign Body
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 22, 2018
- Citation
- 1817962
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 1817962.
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 Veteran's initial ratings for anxiety disorder and TBI were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected traumatic brain injury is being remanded due to a procedural error.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted entitlement to SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(t) effective January 21, 2019, based on the appellant's need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected TBI.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for TBI is denied. The appeal for entitlement to TDIU is dismissed as moot.
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