The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic brain injury residuals, lumbosacral spine intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative joint disease, PTSD, and other conditions, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has also determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to preclude his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to their combined impact, meeting the schedular criteria for a TDIU. Basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is also established.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic Brain Injury Residuals, Lumbosacral Spine Intervertebral Disc Syndrome with Degenerative Joint Disease, Left Cavernous Sinus Cavernoma Resection Residuals, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy, Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy, Tinnitus, Right Knee Degenerative Joint Disease, Bilateral Dermatochalasis with Left Upper Eyelid Ptosis, Bilateral Vitreous Floaters, and Bilateral Dry Eye Syndrome, Left Hip Myositis Ossificans, Bilateral Hearing Loss, Left Cavernous Sinus Cavernoma Resection Scar Residuals, Lumbar Spine Fusion Scar Residuals
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 29, 2022
- Citation
- 22066391
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 22066391.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
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.
- 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.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.