The veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from maintaining substantial gainful employment, and a TDIU rating is granted.
The deciding factor: The veteran's service-connected disabilities (left pleural cavity injury, left shoulder GSW residuals, PTSD) are rated at 40%, 30%, and 30% respectively, resulting in a combined rating of 70%. The VA examiner found the veteran unable to secure or follow a substantial gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Left pleural cavity injury, residual of a gunshot wound (GSW) with fracture of the 4th and 5th ribs, Residuals of a GSW to the left shoulder, involving Muscle Group III, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- October 17, 2002
- Citation
- 0214545
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 0214545.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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 remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders and their relationship to service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral lower extremity conditions and PTSD, resulted in a loss of use of both lower extremities such that he is entitled to specially adapted housing.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, finding that these conditions are related to military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's right and left hand pain are granted increased ratings, while his PTSD is denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent.
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