The Veteran's combined rating was 80% prior to his death in December 2009, and 90% thereafter. The service-connected disabilities met the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU, but did not render him unemployable due to their impact on his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were rated at 80-90%, which met the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU. However, the VA physician found that all of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities would not have prevented him from performing sedentary employment but would have precluded physical employment.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Severe fracture of the right femur, status post shell fragment wound (SFW), Muscle Group XIV and XV, Lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease (DJD), Residuals of SFW to the left back, Muscle Group I, Residuals of SFW to right lower leg and ankle, muscle group XI, Left and right hip DJD, Radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremity, Right lower extremity shortening, Left buttock scarring
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 12, 2014
- Citation
- 1450129
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1450129.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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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