The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but his subjective factors do not allow him to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has met the schedular requirements for a TDIU due to his combined disability evaluation of 90 percent. However, his PTSD and facial scars prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD, facial scars, right eye ptosis, right eyelid painful scar, tinnitus, left foot 5th toe scar, left 5th finger scar, nose paresthesia, bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 90%
- Decision date
- February 13, 2018
- Citation
- 1809221
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 1809221.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Granted
The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
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