The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied as the evidence does not show he is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has an extensive work history and a four-year college degree, which suggests he can perform other types of employment. His occasional decrease in work efficiency and periods of inability to perform occupational tasks do not translate into a lack of physical and mental skills required by employment such as clerical work or data processing.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine, Unspecified depressive disorder, Bilateral lower radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 90%
- Decision date
- December 20, 2019
- Citation
- A19003765
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 A19003765.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 40% initial rating for left upper extremity paresthesia, hypoesthesia and denied higher ratings or service connection for other conditions.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review the case.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as PTSD, trauma-related disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, and insomnia.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified depressive disorder, bipolar disorder type II, PTSD, adjustment disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and insomnia disorder. The initial rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae was denied, and the effective dates for the awards of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and tinnitus were also denied.
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