The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, IBS, and right knee pain, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since December 28, 2009. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his PTSD, IBS, and right knee pain, preclude him from engaging in substantial gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral hearing loss, Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea and constipation, Chronic right shoulder strain, Bilateral shin splint condition, Bilateral foot condition (fallen arches), Bilateral tinnitus, Right knee pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- July 31, 2020
- Citation
- 20051092
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 20051092.
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 claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals of the initial ratings for his service-connected chronic cough and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to procedural errors in the evidentiary record.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
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