The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are rated at 70 percent. The lumbar spine disorder is rated at 40 percent prior to December 4, 2018 and the rating for this condition is denied thereafter. A compensable rating of IBS with GERD was granted prior to August 1, 2019. Bilateral hearing loss is also service-connected but not rated as it is a separate issue.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's psychiatric conditions are rated based on their overall impairment and symptoms, which do not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to her current occupational and social functioning.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Bipolar disorder, Panic disorder with agoraphobia, Adjustment disorder, Anxiety, Depression
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- April 15, 2021
- Citation
- 21022273
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 21022273.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
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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