The Veteran's intercostal neuralgia at T6, with numbness and pain, is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 70 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increase to a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The symptoms of intercostal neuralgia at T6, with numbness and pain, do not warrant a higher rating due to the lack of impairment in motor function, trophic changes, loss of reflexes, muscle atrophy, or complete paralysis. The Veteran's lay assertions regarding his symptoms are considered but found to be less probative than the objective medical evidence.,The Veteran's PTSD symptoms more closely approximate the level of impairment associated with a 70 percent rating, which includes occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board finds that these symptoms are not severe enough to warrant an increase to a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Intercostal neuralgia at T6 with numbness and pain, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 23, 2024
- Citation
- A24040107
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 A24040107.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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.
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.