The Veteran's PTSD prior to May 4, 2016 was characterized by reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as nightmares, intrusive thoughts, avoidance behaviors, hypervigilance, difficulties sleeping, startle response, agitation, marital distress, isolation, panic attacks, and restricted range of affect. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD more nearly approximated a 50 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating (70% or 100%) due to lack of certain severe symptoms such as obsessional rituals, speech impairment, panic attacks affecting daily functioning, and significant social/occupational impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- October 28, 2020
- Citation
- 20069849
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
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 an earlier effective date for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, as it needs a medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the condition prior to October 16, 2023.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another since September 30, 2020.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headaches and right hand strain, increased the ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, dyshidrotic eczema, and hypertension, and denied service connection for Parkinsonism, pes planus/flat feet, GERD, tinea versicolor, allergic rhinitis, and tinnitus. The Board also granted a TDIU.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.