The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, right ankle fracture, and third degree burns) are rated at 80 percent combined. The Board finds that these disabilities render the Veteran incapable of maintaining regular substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU rating as they combine to result in an 80% disability rating, and his education, training, and prior work experience are considered. The VA examiners' opinions support that these conditions alone preclude substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Residuals of a right ankle fracture, Residuals of third degree burns right hand index and little fingers with small areas fourth and fifth digits
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- January 28, 2015
- Citation
- 1504100
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 1504100.
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.
- 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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