The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) are found to render him unemployable due to his PTSD symptoms, which make it very difficult for him to acquire or maintain gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) combine to an 80% schedular evaluation, which satisfies the criteria for TDIU as one of his conditions is rated at least 40%, with additional service-connected disability bringing the combined rating to 70%. His PTSD symptoms make it very difficult for him to acquire or maintain gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- June 24, 2010
- Citation
- 1023676
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 1023676.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and somatic symptom disorder, as well as presumptive service connection for basal cell carcinoma under the PACT Act. Service connection was denied for chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, right restless leg syndrome, left restless leg syndrome, an increased rating for psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, a left forehead surgical scar, and allergic rhinitis.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma and remanded claims for insomnia and sleep apnea. Other conditions were denied.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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