A rating of 70 percent for PTSD prior to March 1, 2019 is granted. A rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine as of July 18, 2016, and prior to September 22, 2016, is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, panic attacks that occurred weekly or less often, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss, flattened affect, gross impairment in thought process or communication, disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, inability to establish and maintain effective relationships, obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities, persistent delusions or hallucinations, persistent danger of hurting self or others, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, and intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Degenerative Arthritis of the Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- December 1, 2021
- Citation
- 21071726
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 21071726.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, finding the appellant's symptoms did not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of February 21, 2007, for the award of service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder with anxious distress.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.