The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for TMJ was denied as his interincisal range did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) was also denied, with the Board finding that the Veteran had stopped working on March 20, 2015.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to December 5, 2016. The combined rating of his service-connected conditions was at least 80 percent as of March 2015 and 90 percent as of December 2016, but the PTSD alone rated at 50% did not meet the criteria for TDIU.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD, TMJ, cervical spine strain, thoracolumbar spine strain, right knee strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, pseudofolliculitis barbae, tension headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- November 27, 2024
- Citation
- A24078691
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 A24078691.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims on appeal, including obtaining any outstanding treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the current severity of service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's representative also requested reevaluation of his service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was granted with an initial evaluation of 50 percent, effective September 24, 2007. The appeal regarding the heart condition and sleep disorder is denied. The Veteran's hearing loss prior to August 24, 2015, warrants a 20 percent rating.
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