The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence is rated at 50 percent, which has been in effect since March 1999. The Board found that the manifestations of his service-connected psychiatric disorders approximate near continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, mild memory loss, irritability, sleep impairment, nightmares, difficulty understanding complex commands, restricted affect, depressed mood, anxiety, disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, and intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living. This results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in a level of disability that warrants the current 50 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 9411 for mental disorders.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major Depressive Disorder, Alcohol Dependence
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- August 22, 2016
- Citation
- 1633183
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 1633183.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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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