The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to July 18, 2023, for his total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the evidence did not establish an inability to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment throughout the period on appeal.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were rated at a combined percentage of 80% as of July 18, 2023, which met the schedular criteria for TDIU. However, there was no evidence showing an inability to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to that date.
- Claimed conditions
- right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, type II diabetes mellitus, left wrist fracture, tinnitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- December 30, 2024
- Citation
- A24086609
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 A24086609.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma and remanded claims for insomnia and sleep apnea. Other conditions were denied.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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