The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, as his income has exceeded the poverty threshold level throughout the appeal period.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from earning more than marginal income and maintaining employment, even though he experiences functional impairment due to peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and diabetes mellitus.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, ulcer disability, left wrist fracture with arthritic changes, left thumb stiffness, peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities, joint stiffness of the index and long finger on the left hand, joint stiffness of the ring and little finger on the left hand, left wrist surgical scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- March 8, 2021
- Citation
- 21013120
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 21013120.
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.
- 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 Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are being remanded due to new evidence and development needs. The maximum disability rating for tinnitus has already been assigned.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, right lower extremity peripheral artery disease, left lower extremity peripheral artery disease, and hypertension as the evidence did not establish an in-service event or exposure to herbicide agents.
- Granted
The Veteran's Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular Aid and Attendance is granted as of April 25, 2024.,For diabetes mellitus, a rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.
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