The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence supports a 70 percent rating for PTSD throughout the appeal period. Since October 5, 2010, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU. Effective February 25, 2012, the Veteran has also been rated at least 60 percent disabling for other service-connected conditions (coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, of the lower extremities, tinnitus), meeting the criteria for SMC based on statutory housebound status.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have consistently shown significant impairment in work and social functioning, including suicidal ideation, chronic sleep impairment, isolative behavior, irritability, panic attacks, memory impairment, and concentration impairment. The evidence supports a TDIU since October 5, 2010, when the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- October 18, 2017
- Citation
- 1746534
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 1746534.
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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