The Veteran's mild impairment of memory resulting from a traumatic brain injury is granted, and he is not eligible for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has been rated as 50 percent disabled for his anxiety disorder due to TBI. The Board found that the Veteran’s cognitive dysfunction related to his memory impairment warrants an additional 40 percent evaluation, bringing his combined rating to 90 percent, which is sufficient for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
- Claimed conditions
- mild impairment of memory, anxiety disorder NOS, cognitive disorder with residuals of traumatic brain injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- August 20, 2018
- Citation
- 18127875
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 18127875.
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 has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety disorder NOS, depression, and PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or are related to his active military service.
- Granted
The December 2012 rating decision was reversed to grant service connection for an anxiety disorder, which had previously been denied due to a lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The new evidence provided by the VA psychologist in January 2012 established a link between the Veteran's military service and his current diagnosis of anxiety disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an adequate nexus opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder. A new examination is required to address whether any diagnosed condition is at least as likely as not incurred in or otherwise related to his active service.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and persistent depressive disorder with mild alcohol use disorder, finding that the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities are at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by his military service.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.