The Veteran's combined rating for all service-connected disabilities is 80 percent, meeting the threshold criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that he is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful occupation due solely to his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran meets the threshold criteria for a TDIU as his combined evaluation for compensation purposes is 80 percent, which exceeds the minimum percentage required (60%) for one disability rated at 40% or more. The remaining inquiry is whether he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful occupation due solely to his service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) and Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), lumbar spine, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Residuals of Right Thumb Injury with Soft Tissue Avulsion, Chondromalacia Patella, Right Knee, Chondromalacia Patella, Left Knee, Right Shoulder Anterior Capsular Instability, Status Post Reconstruction with Surgical Scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- September 30, 2016
- Citation
- 1639167
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 1639167.
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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