The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms such as survivor's guilt, irritability, anxiety, anger, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, avoidance, social isolation, detachment, nightmares, hypervigilance, impaired sleep, alcohol use, suicidal ideations, with a Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score between 45 and 65. The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD has been evaluated as 70 percent disabling, which is already at the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 9411. The symptoms described do not warrant an even higher evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- May 19, 2010
- Citation
- 1018576
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 1018576.
What this means for you
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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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