The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, combined with other disabilities rated at 60% or more, qualifies him for TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate effective March 15, 2016.
The deciding factor: PTSD alone prevented the Veteran from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment as of March 15, 2016, and he has additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60% or more, qualifying him for TDIU. The combined rating of 90% also meets the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Ankle Sprain, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Facial Seborrheic Dermatitis with Tinea Infection and Tinea Capitis, Hemorrhoids
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 90%
- Decision date
- September 19, 2023
- Citation
- 23051442
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 23051442.
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.
- 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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