The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular rating requirements for a TDIU prior to December 20, 2017. The Board found that he was actually working at that time and therefore denied his claim.
The deciding factor: The Veteran had actual employment in a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 20, 2017, which constituted prima facie evidence of employability.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee, headache, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right shoulder, left wrist post-traumatic extensor tenosynovitis, right knee, right elbow epicondylitis, left ankle talofibular ligament strain, right shoulder scar and left knee painful scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20060998
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 20060998.
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 decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, as there are insufficient medical opinions and records. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's initial rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was denied, and his claims for right knee, left knee, right hand, left hand, GERD, neck disability, and bilateral hearing loss were also denied. The effective date of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted on December 14, 2022.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations regarding his claimed conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations regarding his claimed conditions.
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