The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantial, gainful employment, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is granted.

The deciding factor: The probative evidence of record is at least approximately balanced that the Veteran was unable to obtain, or maintain, substantial, gainful employment from February 2002 to present.

Claimed conditions

persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, intervertebral disc syndrome, and stenosis, status/post fusion, right knee meniscal tear, limitation of flexion, left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic), right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic), left knee strain associated with right knee meniscal tear, limitation of flexion, tinea pedis with onychomcycoses, left ear scar, lumbar spine fusion scar (painful scar) associated with lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, intervertebral disc syndrome, and stenosis, status/post fusion, right knee scar associated with right knee meniscal tear, limitation of flexion, allergic rhinitis, chronic bronchitis, right knee meniscal tear, limitation of extension

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

100%

Decision date

November 17, 2025

Citation

A25099643

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