The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which reflects occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.,For the lumbar spine disability, a rating higher than 10 percent is not warranted due to limitation of motion. The combined range of motion exceeds 120 degrees, indicating no significant loss of function.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 10 percent and is productive of painful, limited motion.
The deciding factor: PTSD criteria are met with occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, panic attacks, chronic sleep impairment, and mild memory loss.,Lumbar spine disability does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under Diagnostic Code 5243 (degenerative arthritis) or Diagnostic Code 5242 (diseases and injuries of the spine). The Veteran's range of motion is within normal limits.,Left shoulder disability meets the criteria for a 10 percent rating due to painful, limited motion.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Lumbar Spine Disability, Left Shoulder Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- October 30, 2009
- Citation
- 0941485
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 0941485.
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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