The Veteran's psychiatric disability, characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, has not met the criteria for a higher rating than 50 percent.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows symptoms consistent with a 50 percent disability rating, including depression, irritability, social isolation, obsessional rituals, insomnia, and occasional panic attacks. These symptoms do not more nearly approximate those required for a 70 percent disability rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with depression
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- October 26, 2016
- Citation
- 1641517
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 1641517.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD with depression is being remanded due to the failure to obtain pertinent medical evidence from the Vet Center.
- Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, PTSD with depression, is related to a verified in-service stressor.,The history of pelvic inflammatory disease resulting in infertility was also linked to the same in-service event.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent and 70 percent for PTSD with depression, as well as TDIU, due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD with depression, and increased ratings of 20 percent for right and left ankle tendonitis. The hypertension and tinnitus claims were denied.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.