The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as her combined disability rating is at least 70 percent, but she cannot secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her PTSD and other service-connected conditions.
The deciding factor: The Veteran failed to participate in the development of her claim by failing to submit evidence of unemployability through the required forms and documents provided by VA.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Neurocognitive disorder, Post-traumatic migrainous and cervicogenic headaches, Cervical strain, Right shoulder arthritis and tendinitis, Lumbosacral strain with thoracic degenerative disc disease, Left knee strain, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Tender scar, scalp, Traumatic brain injury with memory visuospatial deficit, Residuals of skull fracture, Residuals of fractured ribs, Costochondritis, Disfiguring scar, scalp
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 90%
- Decision date
- July 20, 2022
- Citation
- 22041446
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 22041446.
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 Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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