The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his pulmonary condition and multiple musculoskeletal issues, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since September 17, 2013.
The deciding factor: Since September 17, 2013, the combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment due to his severe respiratory condition and multiple musculoskeletal issues.
- Claimed conditions
- Pulmonary restrictive disease, Arthritis of the lumbar spine, Lumbar traumatic arthritis, Arthritis of the feet, Arthritis of the cervical spine, Degenerative joint disease of the left hip, Status post blast injury to the left thumb, Tinnitus, Dysthymia, Degenerative changes of the right thumb, Degenerative joint disease of the left knee, Degenerative joint disease of the right knee, Bilateral hearing loss, Scar of the right wrist
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 90%
- Decision date
- August 18, 2017
- Citation
- 1734081
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 1734081.
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.
- 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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
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