The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and residuals of a shrapnel wound to the left shoulder, both rated at 30 percent. The VA found that neither condition warranted an increase in rating.
The deciding factor: The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD did not result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to such symptoms as flattened affect or difficulty understanding complex commands. For his shoulder disability, the VA found it evaluated at its maximum schedular rating of 30 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Residuals of a shrapnel wound of the left shoulder with an injury to Muscle Group I
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- February 15, 2006
- Citation
- 0604319
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, as it needs a medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the condition prior to October 16, 2023.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another since September 30, 2020.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headaches and right hand strain, increased the ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, dyshidrotic eczema, and hypertension, and denied service connection for Parkinsonism, pes planus/flat feet, GERD, tinea versicolor, allergic rhinitis, and tinnitus. The Board also granted a TDIU.
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