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 alone did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran had completed two years of college and extensive work experience in various occupations. His service-connected conditions were found to be less than a combined rating of 70%, which is required for TDIU under VA regulations. The non-service-connected disabilities, such as his psychiatric disorders and age-related degenerative joint disease, produced the majority of his occupational impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Generalized arthralgia, Muscle pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 22, 2021
- Citation
- 21024393
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 21024393.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis, muscle pain, joint pain, sleep disturbances, chronic fatigue, migraine headaches, and sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sinusitis is granted pursuant to the PACT Act. Other claims are remanded.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities and a psychiatric disorder, but denied service connection for Raynaud's disease, muscle pain, degenerative arthritis, peripheral neuropathy of the ulnar and musculocutaneous nerves in both upper extremities, squamous cell carcinoma, and migraines.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection.
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