Service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's hypertension disability rating is restored to 40 percent effective September 1, 2019.,Prior to March 23, 2017, the Veteran's initial disability rating for hypertension was increased to 10 percent. An earlier effective date for service connection for hypertension remains pending.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran has currently diagnosed PTSD related to his in-service stressors, thus granting service connection.,The reduction in the disability rating for hypertension from 40 percent to 10 percent was not proper due to a failure to address actual improvement in ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Hypertension
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 22, 2020
- Citation
- 20028381
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 20028381.
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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