The veteran's service-connected PTSD is characterized by a social and occupational impairment that causes occasional decrease in overall functioning due to intrusive thoughts, self-isolation, difficulty concentrating, a history of difficulty maintaining employment, hypervigilance, and increased startle response. The evidence does not support an initial disability rating higher than 30 percent.
The deciding factor: The veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic code.
- Claimed conditions
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- April 10, 2008
- Citation
- 0811933
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.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.