The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 7, 2020, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not establish that the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities preclude substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with hiatal hernia s/p laparoscopy, bilateral pes planus, lumbar spine herniated intervertebral disc w/ degenerative change, rotator cuff tear, left shoulder, right shoulder status post arthroscopy, bilateral tinnitus, sciatic radiculopathy, right lower extremity associated with lumbar spine herniated intervertebral disc w/ degenerative changes, sciatic radiculopathy, left lower extremity associated with lumbar spine herniated intervertebral disc w/ degenerative changes, right knee meniscal tear to include patellofemoral pain syndrome and degenerative arthritis, patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee, painful right shoulder scars associated with right shoulder status post arthroscopy, allergic rhinitis, residual scars status post right inguinal herniorrhaphy, right shoulder scars associated with right shoulder status post arthroscopy, residual scars status post right herniorrhaphy, laceration right thumb, arthroscopies of bilateral knees and shoulders, pseudofolliculitis barbae
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 14, 2020
- Citation
- 20078850
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 20078850.
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: Denied
The Veteran's respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD, is denied as service connection is not warranted due to the condition being solely attributed to smoking.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the cases of sleep apnea and asthma due to a failure to provide proper notice for a hearing.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asthma and a 10 percent rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities were dismissed. The claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for eczema was denied, while the claim of entitlement to allergic rhinitis was not addressed as it pertained to different issues.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to August 14, 2023.
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