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
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, finding the appellant's symptoms did not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of February 21, 2007, for the award of service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder with anxious distress.
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