The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran also had his petition to reopen his service-connected hypertension/high blood pressure claim denied. His TDIU claim was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a schedular TDIU due to his combined disability rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms were productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but they did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment. His other service-connected disabilities (left knee, right knee, stomach disorder) also impacted his ability to work.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Left Knee Disability, Right Knee Disability, Stomach Disorder, Hypertension/High Blood Pressure
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- June 25, 2019
- Citation
- 19149470
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 obstructive sleep apnea, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The claims for urinary frequency disability and residuals of a cholecystectomy were denied.
- Partly granted
The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, including separate ratings for instability and meniscal conditions, but denied higher ratings for flexion limitations in both knees. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to December 1, 2021.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for tension headaches effective September 13, 2022, but denied earlier effective dates and service connection for various conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, as it needs a medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the condition prior to October 16, 2023.
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