The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, as the evidence did not show that these conditions rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities resulted in difficulty standing for long periods of time, limitation on his ability to ambulate, and limitation on his ability to lift heavy objects and engage in high impact activity. The primary reason for unemployability was reported as mental health conditions (PTSD, anxiety, depression).
- Claimed conditions
- TMJ syndrome, cervical spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, lumbar spine disorder, right foot disorder, bilateral lower extremity disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- September 18, 2024
- Citation
- A24057506
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 A24057506.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip and lower extremity disorders, including as secondary to a lumbar spine disorder. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further action.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, asthma, melasma and hydradenitis, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression, anxiety, and stress), left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, a left foot disorder, and IBS have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in obtaining relevant medical records and authorization for private treatment providers. The issues include heart disorder, OSA, sinusitis, lumbar spine disorder, and right knee disorder all related to Agent Orange exposure.
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