The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of February 4, 2010, and the effective date for his TDIU is set at that time.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's combined disability rating was sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right thumb status post metacarpophalangeal joint fusion, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. His employment at the call center became a protected environment where he was allowed to perform only certain tasks.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right thumb status post metacarpophalangeal joint fusion, left lower extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 90%
- Decision date
- June 30, 2020
- Citation
- 20043869
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 20043869.
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 Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, as there are insufficient medical opinions and records. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was granted with an initial evaluation of 50 percent, effective September 24, 2007. The appeal regarding the heart condition and sleep disorder is denied. The Veteran's hearing loss prior to August 24, 2015, warrants a 20 percent rating.
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