The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol dependence in remission was denied, as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disability was granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% rating under Diagnostic Code 9411 and there were no other symptoms meeting the standard of total occupational and social impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Depressive Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, Alcohol Dependence in Remission
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- May 14, 2019
- Citation
- 19137491
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,170 · Granted: 38% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19137491.
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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