Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Granted

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted, effective from July 14, 2008. The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The deciding factor: The Veteran met the schedular requirements for TDIU as of September 29, 2006, due to multiple service-connected disabilities rated at 40% or more. The effective date is set based on when the claim was received and entitlement arose, which is July 14, 2008.

Claimed conditions
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Degenerative Disc Disease of the Thoracolumbar Spine, Instability Left Knee, Chronic Cervical Strain with Degenerative Disc Disease and Muscle Spasm, Left Lower Extremity Sciatica, Right Lower Extremity Sciatica, Chondromalacia Patella, Right Knee, Chondromalacia Patella, Left Knee (Postoperative with Degenerative Joint Disease), Fractured Right Finger, Left Knee Scar Postoperative with Chondromalacia Patella, Left Knee, Postoperative with Degenerative Joint Disease
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
70%
Decision date
December 10, 2019
Citation
19192054

Veterans Law Judge

MATTHEW W. BLACKWELDER

Decisions by this judge: 2,329 · Granted: 31% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)

Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.

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 19192054.

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.

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.