The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected Adjustment Disorder with Depression and Ulcerative Colitis were denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms did not cause the level of impairment required for a disability rating of 100 percent as per VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Adjustment Disorder with Depression, Ulcerative Colitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- October 17, 2019
- Citation
- 19178996
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,084 · Granted: 20% (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 19178996.
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.
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The Veteran's service-connected PTSD results in occupational and social impairment, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran requires personal care services due to a need for supervision, protection or instruction without which his ability to function in daily life would be seriously impaired. The appeal is remanded to determine if it is in the best interest of the Veteran to participate in the PCAFC program and provide complete notice as required by law.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's anxiety disorder unspecified to include adjustment disorder with depression has been rated at 50 percent since April 10, 2024. The Board is remanding the case for further development and consideration of a higher rating.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting an initial 70 percent disability rating.
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