The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, scars on hands, hearing loss, bilateral nonlinear scars of the upper extremities, and jungle rot) have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment prior to October 23, 2015. From that date onward, his combined rating is 100 percent, making the TDIU claim moot.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, scars on hands, hearing loss, bilateral nonlinear scars of the upper extremities, and jungle rot) have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment due to his inability to work as a mechanic and handle stress related to PTSD.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, scars on hands, hearing loss, bilateral nonlinear scars of the upper extremities, jungle rot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- December 2, 2019
- Citation
- 19190480
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 19190480.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to ensure a proper examination and etiology opinion are provided.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and somatic symptom disorder, as well as presumptive service connection for basal cell carcinoma under the PACT Act. Service connection was denied for chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, right restless leg syndrome, left restless leg syndrome, an increased rating for psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, a left forehead surgical scar, and allergic rhinitis.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
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