The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depression, has been manifested by symptoms such as chronic sleep impairment, anxiety, social isolation, hypervigilance, disturbance of mood, and difficulty establishing effective social relationships. Since the award of service connection, his condition has met the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's VA treatment records and examination reports consistently documented symptoms consistent with PTSD and major depression, including flashbacks, nightmares, frequent intrusive thoughts, estrangement from others, survivor's guilt, decreased concentration, nervousness, and a heightened startle response. His GAF scores were in the range of 44-55, indicative of moderate to severe impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD, Major Depression
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- September 29, 2010
- Citation
- 1036811
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 1036811.
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 Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Major Depression, and Panic Disorder due to his withdrawal of these issues prior to a decision being made.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was granted with an initial evaluation of 50 percent, effective September 24, 2007. The appeal regarding the heart condition and sleep disorder is denied. The Veteran's hearing loss prior to August 24, 2015, warrants a 20 percent rating.
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