The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 26, 2011, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran had completed college and had experience in the restaurant business. Despite his service-connected disabilities, he was able to work as an operations manager until February 2011 due to health issues related to his heart condition.
- Claimed conditions
- CAD (Coronary Artery Disease), Left Knee Degenerative Arthritis, Paralysis of Left Hemidiaphragm, PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), Scar from Coronary Bypass Graft
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 26, 2019
- Citation
- 19189484
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 19189484.
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 denied an initial increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II and remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, right shoulder strain with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis and tendinitis, cervical spine spondylosis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, and thoracolumbar scoliosis and lumbar spine degenerative changes.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing was denied as he does not meet the criteria due to his ability to independently ambulate with the use of braces.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee, and bilateral foot disabilities, collectively warranted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from July 7, 2022 to October 9, 2023.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and higher compensation for DEA benefits, as well as remanded several hand and knee conditions for further development.
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