The reduction of the evaluation from 70 percent to 50 percent for service-connected PTSD was proper, and the criteria for restoring a 70 percent disability rating have not been met. The Veteran's claim for Total Disability Rating due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) on schedular basis prior to January 1, 2015, and on an extraschedular basis thereafter is denied.
The deciding factor: The reduction of the PTSD evaluation from 70 percent to 50 percent was proper as it had been in effect for less than five years. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and his combined rating prior to January 1, 2015, met the schedular criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- November 21, 2018
- Citation
- 18152215
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 18152215.
What this means for you
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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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