The Veteran was found unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities prior to September 20, 2013.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including TBI, PTSD, major depressive disorder, cervical spine strain, right wrist strain, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and left ankle osteoarthritis, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 20, 2013.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major Depressive Disorder, Lumbosacral Strain with Degenerative Arthritis and Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine, Left Knee Patellofemoral Syndrome (Limitation of Extension), Right Upper Extremity Radiculopathy Associated with Cervical Strain, Left Upper Extremity Radiculopathy Associated with Cervical Strain, Right Wrist Strain, Tinnitus, Left Ankle Osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 18, 2023
- Citation
- 23039524
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 23039524.
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.
- 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.
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