The evidence does not show that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to December 1, 2010.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's past work experience and current medical evaluations do not support a finding that his service-connected conditions precluded him from performing sedentary work.
- Claimed conditions
- Asthma with obstructive sleep apnea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Hiatal hernia, Residuals of left eye injury, Left knee osteoarthritis, Right knee osteoarthritis, Left knee instability, Right knee instability, Left knee meniscal condition, Residuals of left otitis media with history of tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- February 10, 2026
- Citation
- 26001862
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 26001862.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia and dysphagia, finding that there was no documented history of esophageal stricture requiring daily medications to control dysphagia.
- Granted
The Veteran's right knee disability, including limitation of extension and flexion, instability, and meniscus condition, is now rated at 20 percent effective March 7, 2020.
- Granted
The Veteran's right knee disability, including limitation of extension and flexion, instability, and meniscus condition, is now rated at 20 percent effective March 7, 2020.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right knee instability is granted, with a 30 percent rating. The claims for increased ratings for right knee osteoarthritis (flexion) and left hip strain, osteoarthritis and bursitis based on painful motion are denied. The claim for an increased rating for right ankle osteoarthritis is also denied.
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