The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder prior to November 9, 2018 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for PTSD and TBI residuals from November 9, 2018 was also denied.
The deciding factor: The severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran’s symptoms did not more closely approximate the level of impairment required for a disability rating of 50 percent or higher prior to November 9, 2018. The symptoms were considered less severe, less frequent, and shorter in duration than those contemplated by a 50 percent rating.,The severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran’s symptoms did not more closely approximate the level of impairment required for a disability rating of 70 percent or higher for TBI from November 9, 2018. The symptoms were considered less severe than those contemplated by a 70 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major Depressive Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with residuals
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 27, 2020
- Citation
- 20069581
Veterans Law Judge
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 20069581.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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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