The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including panic disorder with agoraphobia and major depressive disorder, GERD, bilateral plantar fasciitis, diabetes mellitus, type II, patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative changes in the right knee, residuals of left ankle injury, residuals of right ankle injury, post-operative chronic subacromial impingement with degenerative changes (right rotator cuff tear/impediment), tinnitus, and others, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 28, 2016. From July 28, 2016, the claim is dismissed as moot due to his combined disability rating of 100 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation based on their combined effects and impact on his ability to work.
- Claimed conditions
- Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia and Major Depressive Disorder, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD), Bilateral Plantar Fasciitis, Diabetes Mellitus, Type II, Patellofemoral Syndrome with Degenerative Changes - Right Knee, Residuals of Left Ankle Injury, Residuals of Right Ankle Injury, Post-Operative Chronic Subacromial Impingement with Degenerative Changes - Right Shoulder (Right Rotator Cuff Tear/Impediment), Tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 27, 2021
- Citation
- 21032749
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 21032749.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
- Denied
The claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, memory loss/memory problems, chronic fatigue, sleep difficulties/sleep disturbances, and sleep apnea have been denied. The claim for service connection for residuals of testicular denervation and varicosectomy has been granted.
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.