The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his depression and physical conditions such as back pain, knee issues, hip problems, and erectile dysfunction, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since February 8, 2013. The Board granted a TDIU for purposes of accrued benefits.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused substantial limitations in his ability to work due to pain, physical impairments, and depression, preventing him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- status post compression fracture, L4 with secondary bilateral leg condition and mild scoliosis, Nocturia with incontinence associated compression fracture, L4, depression associated with status post compression fracture, L4 with secondary bilateral leg condition and mild scoliosis, torn anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament of right knee, right knee degenerative joint disease, trochanteric bursitis, left hip, with impairment of thigh, trochanteric bursitis, right hip, with limitation of flexion, left knee degenerative joint disease, with meniscus tear and meniscectomy, genital numbness, limitation of flexion of left hip, impairment of right hip or thigh, right knee surgical scars (located midline, lateral and medial), surgical scar (medial location of knee), left knee, erectile dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 28, 2021
- Citation
- 21005027
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 21005027.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, visual impairment, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's claims were not granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the Veteran meets the basic medical eligibility criteria for PCAFC benefits due to his need for personal care services based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury. However, further clinical evaluation is needed to determine if participation in the program is in the Veteran's best interest.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus type II (DM II), hypertension, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected DM II. The Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during active service is presumed.
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