The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus his claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of sedentary employment as defined by the SSA, despite physical limitations due to knee conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Right knee degenerative joint disease, Left knee chondromalacia with instability, Left knee arthritis, Right knee instability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- April 21, 2021
- Citation
- 21023862
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 21023862.
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 right knee disability, including limitation of extension and flexion, instability, and meniscus condition, is now rated at 20 percent effective March 7, 2020.
- Granted
The Veteran's right knee disability, including limitation of extension and flexion, instability, and meniscus condition, is now rated at 20 percent effective March 7, 2020.
- Granted
The Board has granted effective dates of June 17, 2010 for service connection and separate ratings for right knee instability and left knee instability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the aggravation of a preexisting right knee condition during service. The Veteran's right knee condition was noted prior to service, and the VA examiner concluded it did not worsen beyond its natural progression.
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