The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: Medical evidence does not indicate that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused an inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with depressive disorder, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Rectal polyps and anal fissures, Residual scar from a pilonidal cyst
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- November 2, 2018
- Citation
- 18147064
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 18147064.
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 has granted service connection for GERD, finding that it is either directly related to the Veteran's exposure to toxins in Southwest Asia or secondary to his service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not substantially contribute to his employment handicap, and he had the necessary education, skills, and experience to obtain suitable employment. Therefore, VR&E benefits were denied.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, granted a 30 percent evaluation for right eye vision impairment, and denied an initial evaluation in excess of 60 percent for CAD. The Board remanded claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and entitlement to a higher level of special monthly compensation.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder was granted an increased rating of 70 percent, but no higher, from December 31, 2019. Other claims were denied.
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.