The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Hepatitis C, and a fracture of the dominant hand, do not render him unemployable. The VA examiner found that his other non-service connected disabilities, such as chronic lumbar pain, history of polysubstance abuse, hypertension, and stroke, are more significant factors in his inability to work.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to the presence of other non-service connected disabilities that significantly impact his ability to work.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Hepatitis C, Fracture of the distal tuft, left fourth digit on the dominant hand
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- August 13, 2009
- Citation
- 0930410
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 0930410.
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 an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, finding the appellant's symptoms did not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of February 21, 2007, for the award of service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder with anxious distress.
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