The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including unspecified depressive disorder, atypical headaches with features of migraines, chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including multiple musculoskeletal issues and gastrointestinal problems, preclude him from engaging in substantial gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- unspecified depressive disorder, atypical headaches with features of migraines, chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis and cervical strain, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, chronic tendinosis acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, lumbar radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity, lumbar radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity, lumbar radiculopathy of the femoral nerve of the left lower extremity, lumbar radiculopathy of the femoral nerve of the right lower extremity, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), gastroenteritis, right shoulder scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- February 23, 2021
- Citation
- 21009783
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 21009783.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.,Service connection is denied for tinnitus.
- Granted
The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders were rated at a 70 percent disability rating effective May 6, 2015.,Effective May 6, 2015, the Veteran was granted an earlier effective date for DEA benefits.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) and remanded the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current unspecified depressive disorder is related to his service-connected disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.