The Veteran's combined rating has been at least 80% since August 2010 and at 90% since June 21, 2012. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of June 21, 2012.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's combined rating has been sufficient for TDIU consideration throughout the period on appeal and his symptoms related to multiple head traumas, including memory deficits and irritability, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of June 21, 2012.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Residuals of an injury to the third and fourth digits of the left hand, Residuals of a laceration of the left thumb, Residuals of an injury to the first and third toes of the left foot, Left-ear hearing loss, Allergic rhinitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 90%
- Decision date
- August 10, 2020
- Citation
- 20052916
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 20052916.
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 Veteran's appeal for service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the left hand, right hand, and GERD is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to consider toxic exposure risk activities during service.
- Denied
The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, but the Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for bladder cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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