The veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms including a flat affect, depression, anxiety, hypersomnia, occasional panic attacks, conflicts with co-workers, some memory impairment, and social isolation outside his immediate family. The Board finds that the current 50 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of the veteran's PTSD.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show symptoms warranting a higher rating under the criteria for mental disorders; the veteran's symptoms are consistent with the 50 percent evaluation currently in effect.
- Claimed conditions
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- January 26, 2009
- Citation
- 0902652
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.