The Veteran's PTSD alone does not render him unable to obtain and sustain substantially gainful employment, as his unemployment is primarily due to physical disabilities including bilateral knee conditions, sleep apnea, and neuropathy.
The deciding factor: The December 2019 VA examiner found the Veteran meets criteria for PTSD but determined that his symptoms do not amount to a total occupational and social impairment. The Veteran's other service-connected disabilities are more significant in contributing to his unemployment.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD, Left Knee Arthroplasty and Residuals, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Bilateral Plantar Fasciitis, Degenerative Disc Disease, Protrusion L5-S1 with Intervertebral Disc Syndrome, Degenerative Joint Disease, Right Knee Joints, Tinnitus, Dermatophic Tinea Versicolor of the Upper Back, Peripheral Neuropathy, Right Lower Extremity Associated with Degenerative Disc Disease, Peripheral Neuropathy, Left Lower Extremity Associated with Degenerative Disc Disease, Bilateral Hearing Loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 20, 2026
- Citation
- A26036430
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A26036430.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains under direct service connection theory.
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