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 evaluation did not meet the minimum combined rating criteria under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).
The deciding factor: The evidence does not demonstrate that the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- right shoulder glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, bursitis, labral tear, rotator cuff tendonitis, and impingement syndrome, peripheral neuropathy of left foot (claimed as nerve damage loss of feeling in left foot), peripheral neuropathy of right foot (claimed as nerve damage loss of feeling in right foot), right knee patellofemoral syndrome, scars, right shoulder S/P slap repair surgery associated with right shoulder glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis bursitis, labral tear, rotator cuff tendonitis, and impingement syndrome, s/p slap repair surgery
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 27, 2020
- Citation
- 20056799
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 20056799.
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: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome and degenerative arthritis are at least as likely as not related to his service-connected left knee bursitis, granting service connection for these conditions on a secondary basis.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU rating.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's hypertension, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The lumbar spine disability has also been granted but the effective date is not specified.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on two conditions have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran.
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.