The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) or special monthly compensation (SMC) due to regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board found that his disabilities alone do not render him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including psychophysiological gastrointestinal reaction and right hand degenerative arthritis, do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment due to their functional limitations being within the range of what employers typically tolerate.
- Claimed conditions
- psychophysiological gastrointestinal reaction, right hand degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 24, 2021
- Citation
- 21031752
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 21031752.
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: Denied
The Board denied service connection for left hand degenerative arthritis and right hand degenerative arthritis, finding no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and active duty service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for right hand degenerative arthritis and dismissed the claim of service connection for right hip injury.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's bilateral foot, hand, and hip conditions are remanded due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ is instructed to obtain new medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are aggravated by the Veteran's inability to take NSAIDs due to his service-connected kidney removal.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error and needs additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of any right-hand condition.
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