The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 7, 2015, as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The evidence of record does not support the Veteran’s contentions that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, which were well-managed with medication and therapy. The Veteran's education level, work history, and ability to maintain an active social life despite his symptoms did not preclude him from obtaining or retaining employment prior to April 7, 2015.
- Claimed conditions
- posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), postoperative popliteal fistula in the left leg, diabetes mellitus type II, left knee arthritis, right hip strain with bursitis and arthritis, right knee strain with arthritis, right ankle strain, pilonidal cyst
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 1, 2020
- Citation
- 20063919
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted a 70 percent initial disability rating for PTSD effective December 2, 2021, but the claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent was denied. The appeal also included claims for service connection and ratings for various conditions, some of which were granted while others were remanded.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 17, 2022, for the grant of service connection for PTSD.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headaches and increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, hypertension, and left and right leg restless leg syndrome. The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeal for an increased rating of his service-connected PTSD during a Board hearing, and the appeal is therefore dismissed.
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