The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, thoracolumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since December 22, 2010.
The deciding factor: PTSD symptoms, along with physical disabilities such as back pain and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, have rendered the Veteran unable to perform his former job as a telephone service technician and make it impractical for him to engage in training for a new occupation due to his PTSD symptoms and lack of formal education.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Thoracolumbar spine disability, Left lower extremity radiculopathy, Right lower extremity radiculopathy, Bilateral hearing loss, Tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- April 16, 2024
- Citation
- 24016295
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 24016295.
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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