The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of both lower and upper extremities, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 22, 2010. However, the combined rating for these conditions does not meet the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114 (s).
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to create unemployability but do not individually meet the requirements for a single disability rated as 100% disabling.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- June 15, 2017
- Citation
- 1722370
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 1722370.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was granted with an initial evaluation of 50 percent, effective September 24, 2007. The appeal regarding the heart condition and sleep disorder is denied. The Veteran's hearing loss prior to August 24, 2015, warrants a 20 percent rating.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, visual impairment, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's claims were not granted.
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