The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since June 15, 2004. The fibromyalgia rating remains at 40 percent. The left and right foot plantar fasciitis ratings are both 10 percent. The cholecystectomy residuals remain at 0 percent. The IBS is rated at 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD has been found to meet the criteria for a 50 percent rating since June 15, 2004, based on symptoms including daily depression and significant anxiety; fear of traveling further than eight miles from home; irritability; difficulty managing anger; verbal outbursts; physical aggression against objects; weekly panic attacks; obsessive-compulsive behaviors; sleep disturbance; declining work promotions because of mental health symptoms; reexperiencing trauma; hyperarousal; and avoidance of trauma-related stimuli. The fibromyalgia rating remains at 40 percent as the Veteran's widespread musculoskeletal pain, tender points, fatigue, stiffness, paresthesias, headaches, irritable bowel symptoms, depression, anxiety, and skin rashes are constant or nearly so and refractory to therapy. The left and right foot plantar fasciitis ratings remain at 10 percent as the Veteran's symptoms of no more than moderate severity have not met higher criteria. The cholecystectomy residuals continue at 0 percent due to mild symptoms such as pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, cramping, gastritis, and possible bile salt catharsis. The IBS rating remains at 10 percent based on moderate symptoms including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating, an inability to eat certain foods, and abdominal cramps that produce frequent episodes of bowel disturbance with abdominal distress.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Fibromyalgia, Plantar Fasciitis of the Left Foot, Plantar Fasciitis of the Right Foot, Residuals of Cholecystectomy, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- September 20, 2010
- Citation
- 1035284
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 1035284.
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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