The Veteran's service-connected PTSD disability alone precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU. The increased rating claim for the PTSD with major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and alcohol use disorder is dismissed as moot due to the grant of TDIU. SMC was granted from June 1, 2023, based on an aggregated 70 percent additional disability rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence weighed in favor of finding that the Veteran's PTSD alone precluded him from substantially gainful employment and warranted a TDIU. The increased rating claim for other conditions was dismissed as moot due to the grant of TDIU, and SMC was granted based on an aggregated 70 percent additional disability rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major Depressive Disorder, Panic Disorder, Alcohol Use Disorder, Right Knee, Right Hip, Piriformis Syndrome, Lumbar Spine, Right Knee Scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 4, 2025
- Citation
- A25019784
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