The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU from February 13, 2018. Additionally, his single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent (PTSD) combined with additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more qualify him for SMC under specific VA regulations.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD and other disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU. His single service-connected disability rated as 100% (PTSD) combined with additional disabilities independently ratable at 60% or more qualify him for SMC.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bilateral plantar fasciitis, obstructive sleep apnea, tinnitus, hypertension
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- February 8, 2021
- Citation
- 21006968
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 21006968.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- 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.
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