The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities prevented him from securing and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation before February 25, 2011. From that date onward, he was able to maintain his income above the poverty threshold.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's combined disability rating (50%) did not meet the required criteria for a TDIU based on a single disability and his income exceeded the poverty threshold during the relevant period.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Internal Derangement, Left Knee Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- November 3, 2021
- Citation
- 21067290
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 21067290.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee degenerative joint disease, and left thumb sprain. A separate 10 percent rating was granted for left knee instability.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), finding that the Veteran's current DJD is related to his active duty service.
- Denied
The Veteran's right and left knee DJD are rated based on limitation of motion. The appeal is denied for ratings in excess of the assigned percentages.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right knee disabilities, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss are rated at 10 percent each.
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.