The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that there is not such an approximate balance of the positive evidence and negative evidence to permit a more favorable determination. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are currently rated at 70 percent, which is already in line with the criteria for total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD. However, the Board found that he does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Bilateral Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, Left Frontal Scalp Scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- August 30, 2016
- Citation
- 1634087
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 1634087.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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