The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to preclude his participation in any regular substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities significantly impact his ability to work, rendering him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

Claimed conditions

obstructive sleep apnea with obstructive pulmonary disease, persistent depressive disorder associated with degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left shoulder rotator cuff with degenerative arthritis and tendonitis, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine, bilateral tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, left shoulder scar

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

100%

Decision date

December 8, 2025

Citation

A25105388

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine