The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes-related neuropathy, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the TDIU claim based on this finding.
The deciding factor: The combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected physical and mental disabilities (including urinary incontinence, pain, numbness, tingling, burning, anxiety, depression, chronic sleep impairment, social isolation, and hallucinations) rendered him incapable of substantial gainful employment, including sedentary employment.
- Claimed conditions
- Neurogenic bladder associated with diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, Peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity associated with diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, Peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity associated with diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, Peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity associated with diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, Peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity associated with diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, Tinnitus, Residuals of appendectomy (scar), Tinea pedis and tinea cruris (claimed as rash and jungle rot of feet)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- October 4, 2021
- Citation
- 21061481
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,810 · Granted: 23% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 21061481.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
- 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.
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