The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to January 21, 2020 was denied as there is insufficient evidence showing he could not secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not complete the VA Form 21-8940 Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability and thus, the Board lacked sufficient information regarding his employment history, educational background, and income information necessary to determine if he was unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 23, 2021
- Citation
- 21024518
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 21024518.
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: Granted
The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is found to be related to his active duty service, and service connection for this condition is granted.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities, to include PTSD and anxiety disorder, cervical spine pain, onychomycosis, and skin conditions. The claim was denied for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and bilateral hearing loss.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine pain and a left elbow disability, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board has granted a schedular TDIU from January 29, 2018. The issue of an extraschedular TDIU prior to that date is referred for consideration.
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