The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining employment, despite significant physical and mental impairments.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from substantially gainful employment due to their impact on his ability to work in labor or sales fields that required prolonged standing, bending, or lifting. His depressive disorder caused mild to moderate impairment in a fast-paced occupation but he had the education and skills for a typical office job.
- Claimed conditions
- depressive disorder, lumbosacral strain, lumbar spine disability with radiculopathy, cervical spine disability with radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 90%
- Decision date
- March 8, 2021
- Citation
- 21013074
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 21013074.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's vascular headaches are granted effective August 22, 2011. A TDIU is granted effective February 11, 2015. SMC based on housebound criteria is denied prior to July 14, 2020.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, asthma, melasma and hydradenitis, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression, anxiety, and stress), left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, a left foot disorder, and IBS have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% rating for depressive disorder, effective August 1, 2020, as the reduction was improper and did not comply with applicable regulations.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of a lumbosacral strain, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.
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