The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is granted effective January 12, 2018. The effective date was determined based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to these conditions.

The deciding factor: The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for consideration of a TDIU from January 12, 2018, as he has a combined noncompensable rating prior to that date and a 90 percent combined rating thereafter. The effective date is set based on his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

Claimed conditions

lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine, IVDS (intervertebral disc syndrome), spondylosis, depressive disorder/adjustment disorder, disequilibrium associated with tympanoplasty with tympanic membrane cyst (cholesteatoma), right lower radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, right lower radiculopathy, femoral nerve, bilateral tinnitus, painful flexion due to degenerative osteoarthritis of the right hip with articular cartilage loss, bilateral hearing loss, tympanoplasty with tympanic membrane cyst (cholesteatoma), loss of sense of taste associated with tympanoplasty with tympanic membrane cyst (cholesteatoma), loss of sense of smell associated with tympanoplasty with tympanic membrane cyst (cholesteatoma), limitation of the thigh, adduction, abduction, internal and external rotation due to degenerative osteoarthritis of the right hip with articular cartilage loss, limitation of extension due to degenerative osteoarthritis of the right hip with articular cartilage loss

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

80%

Decision date

October 23, 2024

Citation

A24068324

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 A24068324.