The veteran's PTSD is not severe enough to warrant an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent, and his service-connected disability does not prevent him from engaging in employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the veteran experiences symptoms such as nightmares, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, hypervigilance, and irritability, but these do not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 50 percent. Additionally, while he has significant PTSD symptoms, they are not severe enough to prevent him from working.
- Claimed conditions
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- March 26, 2008
- Citation
- 0810061
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 service connection for PTSD to be readjudicated on the merits due to new and relevant evidence.
- Partly granted
The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied, except for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability which were granted. The veteran was also granted service connection for hypertension.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent disabling for service-connected PTSD due to duty-to-assist errors.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right hip bursitis, left knee strain, TBI, and PTSD.
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