The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not demonstrate that the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, consistent with his educational and occupational background.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic stress disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, atrial hypertension, bilateral foot hallux valgus with hammertoes 2 through 4, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left thumb condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 90%
- Decision date
- December 28, 2020
- Citation
- 20080996
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus to obtain further medical opinions regarding their potential relationship to toxic exposures during active service.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and chronic pain syndrome due to untimely notices of disagreement.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for right foot, left elbow, left hip, left ankle, and diabetes mellitus to obtain additional medical evidence.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of May 9, 2022, for the grant of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder with generalized anxiety disorder, other specified depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder.
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.