The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms of severity, frequency, and duration most nearly approximating the 70 percent rating criteria. The Veteran is therefore granted a 70 percent initial rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorder.
The deciding factor: The April 2015 VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's mental health disorders were mutually aggravating due to alcohol abuse and ongoing substance use, with symptoms of depression and PTSD being best explained by these conditions. The Veteran's symptoms included depressed mood, feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness, decreased energy and appetite, anhedonia or loss of interest in prior activities, frequent anger, irritability, anxiety, nervousness, agitation, frustration when interacting with people, avoidance of thoughts or reminders of military trauma, sleep impairment, suicidal ideation, and other symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Depression
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- January 20, 2016
- Citation
- 1602377
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 1602377.
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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