The Veteran meets the percentage requirements for a schedular award of TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD, and has been awarded TDIU. Additionally, he is eligible for SMC benefits due to having at least one service-connected disability rated at 100% combined with additional disabilities independently ratable at 60%. The Veteran's PTSD renders him unemployable.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for TDIU. His combination of a single service-connected disability rated at 100% (PTSD) with additional disabilities independently ratable at 60% (hypertensive heart disease, migraine headaches, fracture of the right patella with degenerative joint disease, bilateral fungal infection of the feet, and fracture of the right lower tibia) meets the criteria for SMC benefits.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Hypertensive Heart Disease, Migraine Headaches, Fracture of the Right Patella with Degenerative Joint Disease, Bilateral Fungal Infection of the Feet, Fracture of the Right Lower Tibia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- July 20, 2017
- Citation
- 1728377
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 1728377.
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 50% disability rating for migraine headaches was restored as the evidence did not show actual improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 27, 2019 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no earlier claim document in the claims file and the Veteran did not timely perfect an appeal.
- Granted
The Board granted a 30 percent rating for coronary heart disease effective February 10, 2021. The Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date or increased rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's CAD warrants a 60 percent rating, but the Board has determined that an earlier effective date is warranted due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding direct service connection.
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