The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 50 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on occupational and social impairment.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence shows that the veteran's PTSD manifests with depression, restricted affect, anxiety, irritability, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, impaired judgment, complaints of memory loss and difficulty concentrating, and social avoidance. However, his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they do not include suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression affecting independent functioning, spatial disorientation, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, or inability to establish effective relationships.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- March 3, 2006
- Citation
- 0606103
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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