The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and his TDIU claim is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at a combined percentage of 80%, which meets the schedular requirement for a TDIU. However, the evidence does not show that these conditions render him unemployable due to their severity alone.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD, munitions injury to extensor muscles and flexor muscles of left elbow, munitions injury to posterior muscles and anterior muscles of the left thigh, arthritis due to munitions injury to the left elbow, scars head to toe, residuals of war operations by fragments from munitions, fracture from munitions injury, proximal left fibula (claimed as a left knee condition), linear scars, residuals of war operations by fragments from munitions
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- June 21, 2017
- Citation
- 1723138
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 1723138.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the Veteran meets the basic medical eligibility criteria for PCAFC benefits due to his need for personal care services based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury. However, further clinical evaluation is needed to determine if participation in the program is in the Veteran's best interest.
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