The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not render him incapable of securing and following substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran had substantial gainful employment prior to retirement and continued to be able to perform work duties despite his service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), diabetic neuropathy associated with DM, left lower extremity (sciatic nerve) peripheral neuropathy (PN) associated with DM, right lower extremity (sciatic nerve) PN associated with DM, left lower extremity (femoral nerve) PN associated with DM, right lower extremity (femoral nerve) PN associated with DM, diabetic PN of the left upper extremity associated with DM, diabetic PN of the right upper extremity associated with DM
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- March 9, 2021
- Citation
- 21013530
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 21013530.
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 remanded the claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary arteriosclerosis characterized as coronary artery disease, and erectile dysfunction due to procedural issues and the need for additional medical opinions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than March 10, 2015 for the grant of service connection for circadian rhythm sleep wake disorder with delayed sleep phase (CRSWD) is not warranted. The Veteran's initial claim was received on March 10, 2015 and he did not demonstrate entitlement to an earlier effective date based on a reopened claim or CUE. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), and circadian rhythm sleep wake disorder with delayed sleep phase (CRSWD) due to incomplete medical opinions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran appeals for a higher rating for type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and its related conditions, including erectile dysfunction and onychomycosis of bilateral toes. The current examination does not reflect the need for regulation of activities due to DM.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board denied service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and remanded the issues of service connection for a lung disorder to include pleural plaque thickening due to asbestos exposure, and hepatitis C.
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.