The Veteran's psychiatric disability is rated at 70 percent, but no more. The evidence shows occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, impaired impulse control, near-continuous panic or depression, spatial disorientation, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and inability to establish effective relationships.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, impaired impulse control, near-continuous panic or depression, spatial disorientation, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and inability to establish effective relationships.
- Claimed conditions
- Psychiatric disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- January 31, 2019
- Citation
- 19107308
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an initial 100 percent rating for psychiatric disability and Meniere's disease, but denied SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.
- Partly granted
The Board granted initial ratings of 70 percent for a psychiatric disability, 40 percent for a low back disability, and 20 percent each for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve and femoral nerve. The claim for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome was denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the 70 percent rating for his service-connected psychiatric disability, finding that May 9, 2022, was the earliest date as of which it was factually ascertainable based on all evidence of record that an increase in disability had occurred.
- Partly granted
The Board denied higher initial ratings for the Veteran's psychiatric and right shoulder disabilities, but granted SMC based on aid and attendance as of February 9, 2023.
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