The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment from December 31, 2015. From March 28, 2017, the Veteran's award of TDIU was predicated on PTSD alone and his additional service-connected disabilities were independently ratable at 60 percent or more.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to symptoms including depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, disturbances in mood and motivation, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major Depressive Disorder, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Tinnitus, Bilateral Hearing Loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 90%
- Decision date
- December 12, 2023
- Citation
- 23065589
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 23065589.
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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