The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and therefore a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his mental health condition and physical disabilities, do not preclude the ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation considering his education, skills, training, and work history.
- Claimed conditions
- Adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, residuals of left ankle fracture, bronchitis with COPD
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- April 8, 2026
- Citation
- A26032065
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 A26032065.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, requires further review due to a duty-to-assist error related to missing VA treatment records and unverified in-service stressors.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hip disabilities, together with his service-connected residuals of left ankle fracture, resulted in the loss of use of his bilateral lower extremities and affected the functions of his balance and propulsion as to preclude locomotion without the aid of crutches, a walker, or a cane. The Board has granted entitlement to a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing (SAH).
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hip disabilities, together with his service-connected residuals of left ankle fracture, resulted in the loss of use of his bilateral lower extremities and affected the functions of his balance and propulsion as to preclude locomotion without the aid of crutches, a walker, or a cane. The Board has granted entitlement to a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing (SAH).
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his psychiatric disorder is denied as the symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.