The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent after November 2, 2010. The left foot and ankle conditions are each rated at 30 percent. Diabetes mellitus and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are both rated at 10 percent. Bilateral cataracts are rated as 10 percent effective October 28, 2010.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD meets the criteria for a 50% rating after November 2, 2010 due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The left foot and ankle conditions are rated at 30 percent as they do not meet higher criteria. Diabetes mellitus and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are both rated at 10 percent as they do not meet higher criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Left Foot Gunshot Wound, Diabetes Mellitus, Peripheral Neuropathy of Right Lower Extremity, Bilateral Cataracts
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- October 21, 2020
- Citation
- 20067962
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,050 · Granted: 23% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20067962.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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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