The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 50% rating, effective March 22, 2011. The initial ratings for diabetes mellitus (20%), peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity (20%), and left lower extremity (20%) are granted. Erectile dysfunction remains denied. Service connection is remanded for joint pain, bilateral cataracts, sleep apnea, lumbar spine disability, and hypertension.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD manifested with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, panic attacks, difficulty understanding complex commands, and impairment of short and long term memory. The initial rating for diabetes mellitus is granted at 20% based on the need for a restricted diet or oral hypoglycemic agent.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Diabetes Mellitus, Peripheral Neuropathy of the Right Lower Extremity, Peripheral Neuropathy of the Left Lower Extremity, Erectile Dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- May 20, 2021
- Citation
- 21030939
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 21030939.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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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