The Veteran's TDIU and SMC claims for prior to August 23, 2018, were denied as his unemployability was not solely due to service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran had multiple nonservice-connected conditions that also contributed to his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar Spine Disorder, Hearing Loss, Residuals of Left Knee Injury with Arthritis, Radiculopathy of the Left Lower Extremity (LLE), Radiculopathy of the Right Lower Extremity (RLE), Right Knee Disorder, Degenerative Arthritis of the Left Foot, Left Knee Instability, Right Knee Instability, Right Knee Limitation of Extension
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 90%
- Decision date
- November 17, 2022
- Citation
- 22064381
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 22064381.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an increased disability evaluation for PTSD but granted an earlier effective date for TDIU of August 6, 2012.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 70% rating for PTSD from November 25, 2015 to August 12, 2024 and a 40% rating for the right shoulder disability. It also granted 10% ratings for both feet and 20% ratings for knee patellofemoral pain syndromes.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeal in September 2025, stating that she is now 100% permanently and totally disabled effective April 29, 2025.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a rating higher than 20 percent for right knee limitation of motion but granted a separate 10 percent rating, but no higher, for right knee instability.
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