The Veteran's service-connected orthopedic and psychiatric disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms, left ankle arthritis, and recurrent tinnitus contribute to his inability to work due to occupational impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- orthopedic disabilities, psychiatric disabilities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- February 25, 2020
- Citation
- 20013992
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 20013992.
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 Veteran's SMC P-2 award is restored effective January 31, 2020. The rating decision proposing a reduction in his SMC was found to have made CUE and thus the restoration of his SMC P-2 award is granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected eye and psychiatric disabilities rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU being granted.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his failure to provide updated employment information, specifically by submitting a VA Form 21-8940. The evidence showed that he had service-connected disabilities but did not meet the criteria for TDIU as defined in the regulations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records from educational institutions and mental health providers to determine R.D.P.'s ability to support himself prior to age 18, as well as his eligibility for an apportionment of the Veteran's VA benefits.
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.