PTSD rated at 30 percent prior to January 13, 2009 and increased to 50 percent effective January 13, 2009.,Left ankle injury with arthritis rated at 10 percent prior to January 13, 2009 and increased to 20 percent effective January 13, 2009.,Right knee injury rated at 10 percent prior to July 28, 2006 and increased to 30 percent from July 28, 2006 to January 13, 2009. Since then, the rating is 20 percent.,PTSD granted effective August 9, 2005; left ankle injury with arthritis rated at 10 percent prior to July 28, 2006 and increased to 20 percent from July 28, 2006 to January 13, 2009. Right knee injury rated at 10 percent prior to July 28, 2006 and increased to 30 percent from July 28, 2006 to January 13, 2009.
The deciding factor: PTSD symptoms have not significantly worsened since the initial grant of service connection.,Left ankle injury with arthritis has improved slightly in terms of range of motion.,Right knee injury has deteriorated further, leading to more severe disability.,PTSD and right knee injuries have both been rated based on their current severity.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Service-connected residuals of a left ankle injury with arthritis, Service-connected residuals of a right knee injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 14, 2009
- Citation
- 0926260
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 0926260.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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