The veteran's PTSD is manifested by depression, sleep difficulty due to Vietnam nightmares, avoidance, hyperarousal symptoms, and difficulty with personal hygiene. The Board finds that the evidence supports an increased initial evaluation of 30 percent for PTSD.
The deciding factor: The GAF scores range from 50 to 60, indicating moderate symptoms or moderate difficulty in social, occupational, or school functioning. Additionally, the veteran reported depression, sleep difficulty due to Vietnam nightmares, feelings of worthlessness, and an inability to socialize, which are not accurately reflected in the current 10 percent evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- post traumatic stress disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 23, 2008
- Citation
- 0813343
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,293 · Granted: 17% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0813343.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for beneficiary travel benefits associated with a June 13, 2024, VA medical appointment is granted due to the timely submission of a paper claim within 30 days after completing the travel.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since July 6, 2006. The Board has granted a TDIU effective that date, along with an effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits of the same date.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and verification of service dates, stressor events, and records. Service connection will be reconsidered based on the new information.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence to decide the claim, including a need for VA examinations.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.