The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol dependence and marijuana abuse is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that this rating does not accurately depict the severity of his condition. The evidence shows occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms including chronic sleep impairment with nightmares; anxiety; hypervigilance; exaggerated startle response; suspiciousness; irritability and frequent outbursts of anger; impairment of short and long-term memory; disturbances of motivation and mood; difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships; and difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, including work or a work-like setting. The Board concludes that the Veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s psychiatric symptoms are currently manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity but do not meet the criteria for a disability rating greater than 50 percent due to lack of deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The evidence does not show speech intermittently illogical, obscure, or irrelevant; spatial disorientation; neglect of personal appearance and hygiene; suicidal ideation; obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities; slowness of thought; or other symptoms indicative of a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Alcohol Dependence, Marijuana Abuse
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 9, 2016
- Citation
- 1623125
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1623125.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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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