The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to July 6, 2011, finding that her education and employment history did not indicate she was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran had been employed full-time in collections until January 2011, despite having multiple back pain exacerbations. The Board found that her service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and rheumatoid arthritis (presumptive via PACT Act), did not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 6, 2011.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, rheumatoid arthritis (presumptive via PACT Act), right lower extremity radiculopathy, posttraumatic stress disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 17, 2023
- Citation
- 23045724
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 23045724.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues related to service connection for various conditions and disability ratings.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer but remanded the claim for PTSD due to insufficient verification of stressor incidents.
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