The Board has determined that the appellant's PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as depression, anxiety, frequent flashback and nightmares, irritability, occasional suicidal ideations, feelings of alienation, an inability to trust or get emotionally close to others, sleep disturbances, hypervigilant behavior, startle response, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, an inability to concentrate, feelings of rage, impaired short-term memory, and problems with motivation and mood. This results in moderate social and industrial impairment warranting a 50 percent rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The appellant's symptoms, including frequent intrusive thoughts about combat experiences, avoidance behaviors, sleep disturbances, hypervigilant behavior, startle response, feelings of rage, impaired short-term memory, and problems with motivation and mood, have been consistently documented in various medical records. These symptoms align with the criteria for a 50 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 9411.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- July 19, 2001
- Citation
- 0118889
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 0118889.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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