The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that he is unable to secure or follow such employment due to his age and the nature of his service-connected conditions.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has multiple service-connected disabilities with combined ratings totaling 80 percent, meeting the schedular criteria for a TDIU. However, the evidence does not support finding that these disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment due to their impact on his age and the nature of his service-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type II, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy - Sciatic Nerve, Left Lower Extremity, Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy - Sciatic Nerve, Right Lower Extremity, Left Knee Arthrotomy Residuals, Ischemic Heart Disease, Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy - Femoral Nerve, Left Lower Extremity, Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy - Femoral Nerve, Right Lower Extremity, Bilateral Hearing Loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- March 29, 2018
- Citation
- 1819221
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 1819221.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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