The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her obstructive ventilator defect and residual scars from a thoracotomy, do not render her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's respiratory disability is rated at 60%, which meets the percentage rating standards for a schedular TDIU. However, she does not meet the additional criteria required for a schedular TDIU due to two or more service-connected disabilities with one rated at least 40% and the combined rating of these disabilities at least 70%. The Veteran's other service-connected conditions do not contribute significantly to her inability to work.
- Claimed conditions
- Obstructive ventilator defect, Residual scars on the chest following a thoracotomy, Right ear hearing loss, Tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- June 21, 2016
- Citation
- 1624833
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 1624833.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
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