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Denied

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his chronic alcohol abuse is a separate condition and the VA compensation examiner determined he could work due to other factors such as a civilian-related ankle injury. The combined rating of his service-connected conditions does not meet the threshold for a TDIU.

The deciding factor: The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, with the exception of chronic alcohol abuse which is unrelated to PTSD.

Claimed conditions
PTSD, pustular acne on his face, neck, back and feet, malaria, postoperative hemorrhoids
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
70%
Decision date
October 6, 2008
Citation
0834350

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 0834350.

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