The Veteran's PTSD and alcohol use disorder in remission were rated at 70 percent prior to June 22, 2015. From that date, the rating was increased to 100 percent due to persistent suicidal ideation, grossly inappropriate behavior, occasional danger of hurting his ex-wife, persistent thoughts of death and mortality, angry outbursts, low energy, hypervigilance, avoidance of crowds, social isolation, depressive mood, extreme anxiety, regular panic attacks, nervous affect, intrusive memories, sleep disturbance, nightmares, dissociative symptoms, avoidance, divorce, unemployment, strained family relationships, mild memory loss, and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. The decision is mixed as it granted a 100 percent rating from June 22, 2015.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's psychiatric disability caused persistent suicidal ideation, grossly inappropriate behavior, occasional danger of hurting his ex-wife, persistent thoughts of death and mortality, angry outbursts, low energy, hypervigilance, avoidance of crowds, social isolation, depressive mood, extreme anxiety, regular panic attacks, nervous affect, intrusive memories, sleep disturbance, nightmares, dissociative symptoms, avoidance, divorce, unemployment, strained family relationships, mild memory loss, and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Alcohol Use Disorder in Remission
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- August 17, 2020
- Citation
- 20054276
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 20054276.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
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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