The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 16, 2009.
The deciding factor: The Veteran was employed in a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 16, 2009.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, post-operative residuals of the fracture of the left tibia and fibula
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 13, 2021
- Citation
- 21042548
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 21042548.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's back condition is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted due to flare-ups caused by prolonged sitting, standing or laying down.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for additional examinations. The Veteran's back disability is being evaluated again, including a new VA examination and retrospective opinion.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including obtaining new evidence and scheduling an examination.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed all the issues in this appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.
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