The Board denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on an individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period prior to March 17, 2016, as the Veteran was able to maintain and secure substantially gainful employment despite his service-connected psychiatric disability.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability rendered him unable to maintain or secure gainful employment for the period prior to March 17, 2016, as he was able to work as a self-employed truck driver and earn income above the poverty threshold.
- Claimed conditions
- Not specified in this decision
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 18, 2024
- Citation
- 24002805
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
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.