The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder was granted a rating of 50 percent prior to June 12, 2017, and 70 percent thereafter.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms most closely approximated the criteria for a 50 percent evaluation prior to June 12, 2017, and a 70 percent evaluation thereafter.

Claimed conditions

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder, Coronary artery disease (CAD), Erectile dysfunction, Hypertension, Skin cancer, Chronic pain of the joints, to include chronic pain syndrome, psoriatic arthritis, and inflammatory arthritis, Low back disability, Bilateral hip disability, also claimed as peripheral neuropathy secondary to a low back disability, Bilateral lower extremity neurological disability, claimed as peripheral neuropathy secondary to a low back disability, Residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), Disability manifested by undiagnosed neurological symptoms and pain, to include as secondary to a service-connected disability, Sleep apnea, to include as secondary to service-connected PTSD, Cardiac arrhythmia as secondary to service-connected CAD, Total disability rating due to individual unemployability resulting from service-connected disability (TDIU)

How they argued it

Presumptive (no nexus needed)

Exposure basis

Agent Orange / herbicides

Rating assigned

70%

Decision date

January 4, 2023

Citation

23000387