The appellant's combined disability rating is 70 percent, which meets the basic percentage standards for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. However, his service-connected conditions do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: VA medical examinations and assessments concluded that the appellant's PTSD does not significantly impact his ability to work, despite his other service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), degenerative joint disease of the right foot, residuals of gunshot wound to the right hand, degenerative joint disease of the left foot, left varicocele
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- April 30, 2003
- Citation
- 0308169
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 0308169.
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 remands the claims for service connection for a neck disorder, hair loss, PTSD, bilateral foot disorder, bilateral arm numbness, and restless body syndrome due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a conclusion that his service-connected conditions prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis, left ankle achilles tendinopathy, post-traumatic (concussion) headaches, and TBI. The appeal for an earlier effective date was also denied.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD and depressive disorder with insomnia from December 29, 2020, but denied increased ratings for the veteran's other conditions.
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