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 assigned
- 70%
- 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A26036430.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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