The Veteran's multiple nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating, as none of them individually or in combination are rated at least 40% disabling. The Board finds that he is not unemployable due to his conditions prior to June 15, 2018.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's multiple nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating as none of them individually or in combination are rated at least 40% disabling. The Board finds that he is not unemployable due to his conditions prior to June 15, 2018.
- Claimed conditions
- Hypertension, Erectile Dysfunction, Diverticulosis, Hemorrhoids, Hiatal Hernia, Right Shoulder Disorder (Arthralgia and Acromioclavicular Joint Osteoarthritis), Depressive Disorder, Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Joint Disease of the Lumbar Spine, Right Hydrocele, Bilateral Tinnitus and Hearing Loss, Left Foot Disorders (Hammer Toes, Onychauxis, Exostosis)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 17, 2021
- Citation
- 21015398
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 21015398.
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 the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service or herbicide exposure.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin 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.