The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is rated at 50 percent prior to February 28, 2019 and denied for a higher rating since that date. The case is remanded due to the need for additional development.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating of 70% or above as there are no symptoms indicative of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with alcohol use disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- January 7, 2021
- Citation
- 21001081
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 21001081.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD with alcohol use disorder was denied as the evidence did not establish a new and material condition to reopen his original claim, and the service records were deemed insufficient to support a reopening of the case.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is granted a 70 percent rating from January 30, 2013 to March 3, 2020. A higher rating is denied for the period after March 4, 2020.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder was granted, effective February 7, 2020. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's symptoms closely approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Board finds that an examination is needed to determine if the Veteran requires aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities alone.
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