The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran was able to earn above the poverty threshold doing part-time security work, despite experiencing pain and limitations due to his back, knee, and mental health conditions. His college education and previous marketing experience suggest he could have found other suitable employment.
- Claimed conditions
- Persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress disorder, Degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, Anterior transverse meniscal ligament sprain of the left knee, Pseudofolliculitis barbae, Right wrist ganglion cyst
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 20, 2026
- Citation
- 26000625
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 26000625.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder is denied as the symptoms do not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae is denied as the condition affects less than 5% of his exposed and total body area.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle and lumbosacral spine disabilities were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at a 40 percent evaluation, effective from the date of the May 2013 rating decision.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities has not been established, as he can use assistive devices to dress himself and maintain cleanliness of appearance.
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