The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder was denied. A 70% rating is granted beginning December 22, 2015. The TDIU claim is dismissed as moot due to the Veteran already receiving special monthly compensation based on his IBS.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms prior to December 22, 2015 did not meet the criteria for a higher rating (70% or more). After that date, he met the criteria for a 70% rating but total social impairment was not shown. The TDIU claim is moot as the Veteran already receives SMC based on his IBS.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major Depressive Disorder, Irritable Bowel Syndrome/ Ulcerative Colitis (IBS)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- January 28, 2020
- Citation
- 20006821
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of February 21, 2007, for the award of service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder with anxious distress.
- Granted
The Board granted a rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), as the Veteran's symptoms most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Granted
The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
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