The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined disability ratings did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU and that he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment in light of his education and occupational experience.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's combined disability ratings were insufficient to meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and there is no evidence demonstrating that his service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment based on his education and occupational experience.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), bilateral pes planus, left knee strain, radiculopathy of the left sciatic nerve associated with degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS, lumbar strain associated with left knee strain, seborrheic dermatitis, radiculopathy of the right sciatic nerve associated with degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS, limitation of flexion, left knee strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- December 17, 2019
- Citation
- 19194678
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 19194678.
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, right wrist strain, and TBI. The Veteran's PTSD rating was remanded for further development.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal is remanded to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including the failure to obtain relevant treatment records and provide adequate VA examinations.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
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