The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the initial grant of service connection in April 2017. The Board found that his symptoms, while impairing, did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as he experienced reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, anxiety, and occasional intrusive thoughts.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD manifested with symptoms of depression, anxiety, sleep impairment, disturbance of motivation and mood, but without severe impairment in occupational or social functioning that would warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Depression
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- June 17, 2019
- Citation
- 19147126
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple myeloma, back disability (secondary to multiple myeloma), and depression, with an effective date of January 26, 2021. The decision also remanded claims related to breast cancer, DEA benefits, and initial ratings.
- Denied
The veteran's bad conduct discharge precludes eligibility for VA benefits, including compensation and healthcare.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and personality disorder, due to the need for further development of the record.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the Appellant during its pendency.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.