Between February 26 and July 17, 2009, the Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in work and family relations, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and severe symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, avoidance, and hallucinations. The Board determined that these symptoms most nearly approximated a finding of total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD.
The deciding factor: The clinical evidence showed consistent severe PTSD symptoms during this period, including anxiety, sleep impairment, irritability, isolation, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, and episodes of suicidal and homicidal ideation. The global assessment of functioning scores also indicated severe impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- May 20, 2011
- Citation
- 1119619
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 1119619.
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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