The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and degenerative arthritis of the spine) have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantial employment consistent with his educational background and work history. Therefore, a Total Disability Rating based on Individual Unemployability for the period beginning August 22, 2008 is granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities met the schedular requirement for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) throughout the period of the claim and provided competent evidence addressing his symptoms and limitations. The Board found that the evidence was at least in approximate balance as to whether he is unemployable due to his service-connected physical and psychiatric disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative arthritis of the spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 90%
- Decision date
- November 24, 2023
- Citation
- 23062438
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 23062438.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and somatic symptom disorder, as well as presumptive service connection for basal cell carcinoma under the PACT Act. Service connection was denied for chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, right restless leg syndrome, left restless leg syndrome, an increased rating for psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, a left forehead surgical scar, and allergic rhinitis.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma and remanded claims for insomnia and sleep apnea. Other conditions were denied.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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