The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to June 17, 2010 was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.,On August 13, 2015, the Veteran's TDIU claim from that date forward was also denied because none of his service-connected conditions (other than adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood) on their own or collectively met the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not demonstrate that any combination of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including those unrelated to his adjustment disorder, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- right wrist injury residuals, status post tear, ulnar and radial collateral ligaments, right first metacarpophalangeal joint, status post bunionectomy right first medial head metatarsal with pain, status post bunionectomy, left first metatarsal head with degenerative arthritis first metatarsal phalangeal joint, right knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis, degenerative arthritis, thoracolumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 9, 2021
- Citation
- 21013250
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 21013250.
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 has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's back disability and his service-connected conditions. The case will be returned for a new examination and an updated medical opinion.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for scoliosis and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that the condition was a congenital defect not aggravated by service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as incurred in service.,The Veteran's left knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis is granted as incurred in service and has continued since then.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of September 2, 2010, for service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right sciatic nerves but denied increased ratings for these conditions. The claims for increased ratings for knee and back conditions were remanded.
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