The Veteran's PTSD with depression was granted an initial rating of 50 percent prior to November 1, 2011. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy were granted increased ratings since November 1, 2011. Service connection for left shoulder arthritis was denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence supported the initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD with depression prior to November 1, 2011, based on symptoms such as impaired short-term memory and difficulty establishing effective relationships. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, required a restricted diet and one or more daily insulin injections since November 1, 2011, warranting an increased rating of 50 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Depression, Diabetes Mellitus, Type II, Left Upper Extremity Peripheral Neuropathy, Right Upper Extremity Peripheral Neuropathy, Left Shoulder Arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- November 1, 2019
- Citation
- 19182725
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,249 · Granted: 37% (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 19182725.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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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