The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and knee conditions, do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not show a worsening of the Veteran's physical disabilities prior to May 18, 2020, which is when he underwent right total knee arthroplasty. The Veteran has been employed in a consulting role since December 2019 and continues to work.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Degenerative Arthritis, Degenerative Disc Disease, and Multi-level Lumbar Spinal Stenosis, Right Knee Injury with Residual Knee Impairment Status Post Arthroscopic Surgery and Medial Meniscectomy, Right Knee Injury with Residual Knee Impairment Status Post Arthroscopic Surgery and Degenerative Changes and Limitations of Motion, Left Knee Strain and Osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- July 25, 2024
- Citation
- A24041167
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 A24041167.
What this means for you
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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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