The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and depressive disorder, rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to August 28, 2015.
The deciding factor: The combined impact of the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities made it impossible for him to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD, depressive disorder, tension headaches, right hip bursitis, lumbar strain, painful scars, limitation of right hip flexion, left hip bursitis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, right ankle strain, left ankle strain, tinnitus, right inguinal hernia, reflux disease, mild traumatic brain injury, limitation of left hip flexion, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, left plantar fasciitis, fusion of third tarsometatarsal joints, peripheral retinal degeneration, voiding dysfunction, erectile dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 90%
- Decision date
- December 7, 2018
- Citation
- 18156160
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 18156160.
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 Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for painful scars, but the rating assigned remains at 10 percent. The claims for fibromyalgia and bilateral shoulder disability are denied.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- 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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