The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not been of the type and degree that warrant a higher than 50 percent rating. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the Veteran’s PTSD symptoms are of the type and degree contemplated by the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating, nor does it demonstrate that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- October 24, 2018
- Citation
- 18144121
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 18144121.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, finding the appellant's symptoms did not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of February 21, 2007, for the award of service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder with anxious distress.
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