The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was found to be manifested by irritability, panic attacks, near-constant depression, and suicidal ideation. The Board determined that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% rating but approximated those of a 70% rating. Therefore, the claim for a higher rating was denied. Additionally, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were found to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU.
The deciding factor: The severity and frequency of the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating but approximated those of a 70% rating. The Board found that total occupational and social impairment had not been shown due to the Veteran's ability to interact with others in a productive way, despite his symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe without psychosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 28, 2021
- Citation
- A21020573
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 A21020573.
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: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
- 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.
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