The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% due to total occupational and social impairment. Service connection for hypertension, cardiovascular disability (Congestive Heart Failure), and lumbar spine disability are denied as not related to service or a service-connected condition.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s PTSD did not cause his hypertension, Congestive Heart Failure, or Lumbar Spine Disability. The Veteran's hypertension was attributed to idiopathic causes, and his Congestive Heart Failure and Lumbar Spine Disability were not related to service-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Hypertension, Congestive Heart Failure, Degenerative Arthritis of the Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- April 23, 2018
- Citation
- 1824990
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 1824990.
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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