The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, as he has maintained and is capable of maintaining such employment throughout the appeal period.
The deciding factor: The Veteran maintains substantial income through his current employment despite his service-connected disabilities, which are considered in determining whether he can secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with spinal stenosis, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, right upper extremity radiculopathy associated with cervical spine degenerative arthritis, left knee instability status post meniscal tear, bilateral sciatic nerve radiculopathy, bilateral femoral nerve radiculopathy, tinnitus, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- January 30, 2023
- Citation
- 23005697
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 23005697.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
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