The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which meets the criteria for a 70 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The Veteran also has thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity that are each rated at 10 percent. Tension headaches have been rated as noncompensable, but the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficiently severe to inhibit her ability to obtain gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD symptoms include impaired judgment and memory impairment, which align with the criteria for a 70 percent rating. The other conditions do not meet the specific criteria for higher ratings under their respective diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, Radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, Tension headaches
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- October 4, 2017
- Citation
- 1744251
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 1744251.
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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