The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has a combined disability rating of 90%, meeting the schedular threshold for TDIU, but his PTSD is rated as mild and he maintains social connections and engages in hobbies. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Degenerative Arthritis and Bursitis of the Left Hip, Degenerative Arthritis with Bursitis and Tendonitis causing limitation of flexion of the left knee, Degenerative Arthritis with Bursitis and Tendonitis causing limitation of flexion of the right knee, Degenerative Arthritis of the Acromioclavicular and Glenohumeral Joints of the Right Shoulder, Degenerative Arthritis of the Lumbar Spine, Tinnitus, Hemorrhoids, Benign Prostate Hypertrophy with Chronic Prostatitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 23, 2019
- Citation
- 19156930
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19156930.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
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