The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including unspecified depressive disorder, lumbar strain with IVDS, right knee PFPS, tinnitus, and residuals of TBI, meet the threshold minimum rating requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board granted this claim as it is just as likely as not that these conditions preclude the Veteran from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficient to meet the threshold minimum rating requirements for a TDIU, with his current self-employed work in a protected environment being considered marginal rather than substantially gainful.
- Claimed conditions
- unspecified depressive disorder, lumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), tinnitus, residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), costochondritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 90%
- Decision date
- May 12, 2022
- Citation
- 22028336
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 22028336.
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.
- 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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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