The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks due to such symptoms as chronic sleep impairment, occasional nightmares and flashbacks, periodic irritability, anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, chronic fatigue, motivation deficits, and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores ranging from 60 to 70. The criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent have not been met.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they are primarily characterized by mild to moderate impairment, including occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks due to symptoms such as chronic sleep impairment, occasional nightmares and flashbacks, periodic irritability, anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, chronic fatigue, motivation deficits, and GAF scores ranging from 60 to 70.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- October 17, 2012
- Citation
- 1235939
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 1235939.
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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