The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left ankle disability and posttraumatic headaches, have led to his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has ordered further development of the employment history and requested information from SSA.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for TDIU but there is uncertainty about his current employment status due to inconsistent statements and incomplete records.
- Claimed conditions
- left ankle disability, posttraumatic headaches, lumbar strain, left knee strain, status post open reduction internal fixation left ankle and arthroscopic reconstruction of the deltoid ligament, with residual degenerative joint disease and scars, tinnitus, burn scar, right lower extremity, burn scars, left lower extremity to include left foot, pseudofolliculitis barbae
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 29, 2021
- Citation
- 21026090
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 21026090.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
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 expanded the scope of the claim to include any mental health disorder raised by the record and has remanded for additional development regarding service connection for left leg, ankle, and psychiatric disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
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