The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for chronic intermittent neck muscle strain with C5-6 spurring was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to the Board's decision.,The reduction in the rating for PTSD from 70 percent to 30 percent, effective April 1, 2014, is considered improper and the original rating of 70 percent is restored. The November 2014 rating that increased the PTSD rating to 50 percent remains valid.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are as likely as not of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not demonstrate a sustained improvement in the Veteran's mental health disability, thus the reduction in his PTSD rating was improper. The Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic intermittent neck muscle strain with C5-6 spurring, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with major depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 9, 2017
- Citation
- 1707180
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 1707180.
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 Board granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder, a total rating based on individual unemployability prior to October 31, 2023, and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance prior to the same date.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD effective October 1, 2023, and denied an earlier effective date for DEA benefits based on permanent and total disability status prior to that date.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder and remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU.
- Denied
The Board denied an increased rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder as the Veteran's symptoms did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment.
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.