The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by depression, frequent intrusive and distressing thoughts, flashbacks, frequent nightmares, survivor guilt, sleep disturbance, fleeting eye contact, a flat affect, severe social withdrawal, exaggerated startle response, sudden and unpredictable outbursts of rage, and difficulties with short-term memory, attention, concentration, and processing of information during periods of anxiety. He was suffering from at least occasional suicidal ideation, had great difficulty working closely with others, had problems with authority, sometimes left work due to stress, felt groggy as a result of psychiatric medications, and managed his symptoms with alcohol. The Veteran missed several weeks of work as a result of PTSD.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by significant occupational and social impairment during the period from March 26, 2004 to August 7, 2006.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 16, 2010
- Citation
- 1009982
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1009982.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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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