The Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits was denied because she did not have an employment handicap and was able to obtain suitable employment consistent with her abilities, aptitudes, and interests.
The deciding factor: The VRC found that the Veteran had overcome the effects of her vocational impairment through her educational background and work experience, and that she was qualified for employment in a suitable occupation consistent with her aptitudes, interests, and abilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Raynaud's Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Residuals of a hysterectomy, Migraine headaches, Plantar fasciitis, Degenerative disc and joint disease of the cervical spine, Degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, Right upper extremity radiculopathy with upper extremity neuritis, Left upper extremity neuritis, Left hip trochanteric bursitis, Fibromyalgia, Left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, Tinnitus, Insomnia, Right hip trochanteric pain syndrome with flexion of the thigh beyond 45 degrees, Left shoulder impingement syndrome, Right shoulder impingement syndrome, Left wrist tendonitis with lateral and medial epicondylitis, Right wrist tendonitis with lateral and medial epicondylitis, Right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and patellar chondromalacia, Right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, Left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, Left lower extremity hypesthesia, lateral left lower extremity from hip to toes, etiology undetermined, Abdominal scars, associated with left oophorectomy, Residuals of a left oophorectomy, Post arthroscopy surgical scar associated with left hip trochanteric bursitis, Surgical scars of the right shoulder associated with posttraumatic arthritis and labral tear status post arthroscopic repair of the right shoulder, Posttraumatic arthritis and labral tear status post arthroscopic repair of the right shoulder, Left knee arthroscopy surgical scar resulting from medial and lateral incisions associated with left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 16, 2025
- Citation
- 25008000
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 an effective date of September 2, 2020, for the grant of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but denied a higher initial rating and TDIU.
- Granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates of November 5, 2021, for the grants of service connection and eligibility for DEA benefits.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial rating greater than 30 percent for plantar fasciitis as the evidence did not support a higher rating.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.
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