The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee conditions do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, as his combined disability rating is 50%, which does not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU. The Board finds that the record does not establish entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities cause functional limitations but do not prevent him from performing sedentary activities such as riding a stationary bike and driving up to 30 miles in a car before needing to stretch his legs. The record does not establish any cognitive or mental limitations that would further inhibit the Veteran's ability to work.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral knee conditions
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 13, 2020
- Citation
- 20033281
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 20033281.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to a lack of development and consideration of certain private treatment records, as well as VA examinations. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence or information regarding his claimed conditions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities, including back pain, prostate cancer, depression, bilateral knee pain, and other health issues. The Board granted SMC based on A&A.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee conditions and bilateral ankle conditions, finding that these conditions are causally related to the Veteran's in-service events, injuries, or diseases.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral knee conditions, pes planus, bilateral shin splints, and tinnitus due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. Additional evidence is needed from VA.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.