The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a TDIU, arguing that he should have been granted one based on his service-connected PTSD. The Board finds evidence of unemployability due to the service-connected disabilities and remands the case for referral to the VA Under Secretary for Benefits or the VA Director of the Compensation and Pension Service for adjudication of TDIU eligibility under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).
The deciding factor: The Veteran's unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is established, warranting referral for extraschedular consideration.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Degenerative Joint Disease of both knees, Tinea Cruris, Chalazion of both eyelids
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 28, 2014
- Citation
- 1447694
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 1447694.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
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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