The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,A 10 percent disability rating for an epidermal cyst prior to April 23, 2019 has been granted.,A disability rating in excess of 10 percent for residual status post epidermal cyst excision scar is denied.,The Veteran's lichen simplex chronicus was rated as noncompensable before October 15, 2020 and at 10 percent thereafter. The claim for a higher rating remains pending.,TDIU has been denied based on the evidence not showing total occupational and social impairment due to service-connected disabilities.,Left shoulder degenerative arthritis with impingement syndrome and partial rotator cuff tear is rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Left knee degenerative arthritis remains rated at 10 percent.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD did not demonstrate total occupational and social impairment as required for a 100% disability rating under Diagnostic Code 9411. The symptoms were considered to be less severe than what would warrant such a high rating.,Prior to April 23, 2019, the epidermal cyst was tender and painful but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it was not deep or nonlinear with an area exceeding 6 square inches (39 sq.cm.).,The residual status post epidermal cyst excision scar does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent due to its characteristics being stable and nonpainful.,Lichen simplex chronicus was rated as noncompensable before October 15, 2020 and at 10 percent thereafter. The evidence did not show that it met the criteria for a higher rating based on its current condition.,TDIU was denied because there is no evidence showing total occupational and social impairment due to service-connected disabilities.,Left shoulder degenerative arthritis with impingement syndrome and partial rotator cuff tear does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent as it did not demonstrate significant functional impairment or additional symptoms beyond those already considered under the current rating criteria.,Left knee degenerative arthritis remains rated at 10 percent due to its current condition.

Claimed conditions

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Epidermal Cyst, Lichen Simplex Chronicus

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

November 16, 2021

Citation

21068941

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 21068941.