The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from July 17, 2019.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's combined 60 percent rating for musculoskeletal disabilities did not affect his ability to perform sedentary work until May 2013. His tension headaches rated at 50% do interfere significantly with gainful employment but are recognized as making it difficult to obtain or maintain employment.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, Right hip replacement, Left hip replacement, Bilateral sciatic lower extremity radiculopathies, Bilateral femoral lower extremity radiculopathies, Right ankle sprain, Left elbow epicondylitis, Right knee arthritis, Right shoulder impingement, Right bicep muscle tear, Adjustment disorder with depressed mood, Tension headaches, Eczema of the hands, Bilateral hearing loss, Deviated septum with nasal blockage, Gastroesophageal reflux disease, Human papilloma virus, Facial alopecia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- April 28, 2023
- Citation
- 23024920
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 23024920.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals of the initial ratings for his service-connected chronic cough and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to procedural errors in the evidentiary record.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial evaluation for tension headaches to include migraines is granted, with a rating of 50 percent effective from May 23, 2023.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
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