The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 30, 1998 for a grant of total rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities prior to March 30, 1998 precluded him from substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The veteran's overall vision impairment was not severe enough to prevent him from engaging in substantial gainful employment prior to March 30, 1998, as evidenced by his ability to read with the assistance of a +4.00 lens and his educational background.
- Claimed conditions
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Postoperative Duodenal Ulcer, Residuals of Shell Fragment Wound of Right Forearm, Left Eye Cataract Extraction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- August 3, 2001
- Citation
- 0120005
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 0120005.
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 the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent level, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal of the denial for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed because the issue was already under review through Higher-Level Review.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.
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