The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability and associated neuropathy of the lower extremities did not preclude him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment prior to February 10, 2010.
The deciding factor: VA treatment records and SSA application indicated that the Veteran had multiple conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, back pain, and peripheral neuropathy which limited his ability to work in any capacity.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)/Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the lumbosacral spine, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Peripheral Neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- November 23, 2020
- Citation
- 20074815
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
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- Partly granted
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- Denied
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