The veteran's service-connected PTSD, with depressive disorder and history of polysubstance dependence, was not characterized by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to March 2, 2007.
The deciding factor: The symptoms did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 50 percent as they were characterized by reduced reliability and productivity but not deficiencies in most areas.
- Claimed conditions
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depressive disorder, history of polysubstance dependence
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 23, 2008
- Citation
- 0813345
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.
- Granted
The Board granted a disability rating of 50 percent for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as depressive disorder, effective May 1, 2017.
- 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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran is granted service connection for migraine headaches secondary to tinnitus, effective April 1, 2021. The claim for an earlier effective date for depressive disorder was denied.
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