The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to October 11, 2004 and increased to 50 percent effective April 24, 2000. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD from March 17, 2004 to October 4, 2004, but granted a 70 percent evaluation effective March 17, 2004.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD was characterized by difficulty trusting others, hypervigilance, nightmares, frequent flashbacks, isolative behavior, alcohol abuse, and depression from prior to October 11, 2004. From March 17, 2004 to October 4, 2004, the Veteran's PTSD was characterized by near continuous panic or depression affecting his ability to function independently.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- October 30, 2009
- Citation
- 0941469
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 0941469.
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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