The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have worsened, but the Board has determined that a rating in excess of 50 percent is not warranted prior to January 29, 2011. The claims for service connection for COPD, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral knee arthritis, arthritis of the right wrist, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, back condition, neck condition, pneumonia, and cholinergic urticaria have been withdrawn.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to January 29, 2011. The other claims were withdrawn by the Veteran during the appeal process.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Bilateral Knee Arthritis, Arthritis of the Right Wrist, Peripheral Neuropathy of Bilateral Lower Extremities, Back Condition, Neck Condition, Pneumonia, Cholinergic Urticaria
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- July 15, 2014
- Citation
- 1431616
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 1431616.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
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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