The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as there is no evidence that her service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and other conditions like sciatica and tinnitus, rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 4, 2009. From November 4, 2009 onwards, the Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as she had a single service-connected disability (PTSD) rated at 100%, and other disabilities that did not render her unemployable.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran could perform sedentary jobs with her education and experience, even when considering her PTSD impairment. Her additional service-connected conditions limited her to avoid physically strenuous activities, but she was still capable of obtaining gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD, sciatica, tinnitus, lumbar strain, bilateral hip bursitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 1, 2020
- Citation
- 20076361
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 20076361.
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.
- Granted
The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
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