The VA denied the appellant's claims for an increased rating for post-traumatic stress disorder and a total rating based on individual unemployability. The VA found that his condition did not meet criteria for a higher disability evaluation or a total rating due to his service-connected PTSD.
The deciding factor: The VA determined that the appellant’s post-traumatic stress disorder was currently manifested by chronic sleep impairment, depressed mood, and difficulty in establishing effective work relationships, warranting only a 50% disability rating. The VA also found that his condition did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- May 23, 2002
- Citation
- 0204943
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 0204943.
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 Veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder is rated at 100 percent effective November 21, 2019, due to total occupational and social impairment.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for further development and evidence collection, as some relevant private treatment records have not been obtained.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder and in excess of 10 percent for degenerative changes of the left talus bone to obtain relevant outstanding VA treatment records and to schedule additional examinations.
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