The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's overall rating is 90%, which meets the schedular requirements for TDIU. However, he has been employed in various positions over the years and can perform sedentary work despite his disabilities, including PTSD symptoms and knee pain.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Right Knee Limitation of Motion, Diabetes Mellitus, Arthritis of the Right Knee, Arthritis of the Left Knee, Shrapnel Wound to the Right Foot, Shrapnel Wound to the Left Ulna, Noncompensable Erectile Dysfunction, Shrapnel Wound to the Skull, Shrapnel Wound to the Right Arm, Shrapnel Wound to the Left Arm
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 90%
- Decision date
- September 22, 2014
- Citation
- 1442357
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 1442357.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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