Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Denied

The veteran was granted service connection for PTSD and assigned an initial 30 percent evaluation, which was later increased to 50 percent. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied as the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to such symptoms as suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, impaired impulse control, spatial disorientation, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. The claim for service connection for Hepatitis C was also denied as there is no evidence that it was incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The deciding factor: The decision was based on the lack of evidence showing occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to PTSD symptoms, and the absence of a link between the veteran's Hepatitis C and his period of active duty service.

Claimed conditions
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Hepatitis C
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
50%
Decision date
January 13, 2009
Citation
0901289

Veterans Law Judge

MICHAEL MARTIN

Decisions by this judge: 2,188 · Granted: 23% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0901289.

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.

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.