The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his thoracolumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies, have rendered him unemployable since October 15, 2019. A TDIU rating is granted from that date.
The deciding factor: The combined ratings of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities met the criteria for a TDIU rating due to his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as a result of multiple service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- unspecified anxiety disorder, degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with disc herniation at the L4-5 region, viral infection/Epstein-Barr virus resulting in chronic fatigue syndrome and reduced immunity, rheumatoid arthritis of the right shoulder, rheumatoid arthritis of the left shoulder, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (sciatic nerve), radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve), right thumb strain, fractured right foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- May 12, 2021
- Citation
- 21029192
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 21029192.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder alone warrants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), and he has additional service-connected disabilities rated at least 60 percent. The Board grants special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.
- Granted
The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders were rated at a 70 percent disability rating effective May 6, 2015.,Effective May 6, 2015, the Veteran was granted an earlier effective date for DEA benefits.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, including unspecified anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, kleptomania, and PTSD is being remanded due to the AOJ's failure to obtain medical records from his periods of incarceration or a medical opinion regarding his diagnoses.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including unspecified anxiety disorder (claimed as PTSD, memory loss, a sleep disorder, and uncontrollable alcohol disorder), is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion.
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.