The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by some difficulty in maintaining social relationships, nightmares and insomnia; obsessional rituals, impaired impulse control, near continuous panic or depression affecting ability to function independently, spatial disorientation, illogical or obscure speech, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. These symptoms do not warrant a rating higher than 50 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms are characterized by some impairment but do not include significant physical manifestations such as suicidal ideation or obsessional rituals, nor do they result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- September 5, 2013
- Citation
- 1328328
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 1328328.
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.
- Granted
Service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is granted. The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is dismissed.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder was denied, and he was granted a TDIU. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet criteria for a 100% disability rating.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder with Insomnia Disorder, was granted. The effective date is set at October 25, 2022.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70% rating effective March 25, 2024. The Board found that the increase in severity of his disability warranted this rating.
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