The Veteran's psychiatric disability, characterized as PTSD, has been rated at 50 percent since the initial grant of service connection. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s symptoms are predominantly characterized by depression, anxiety, suspiciousness, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, which aligns with the criteria for a 50 percent rating under DC 9411.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic-stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- April 26, 2019
- Citation
- 19132980
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.
- Granted
The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD and a total disability evaluation due to individual unemployability (TDIU) from March 31, 2021.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relationships, judgment, thinking or mood.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD prior to May 24, 2018. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and TDIU is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding his employment status since January 15, 2016.
- Granted
The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. However, it denied the claim as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to his active duty service.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.