The veteran was granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder and major depressive disorder prior to December 14, 2017, and a 20 percent rating for intervertebral disc syndrome prior to September 6, 2019. The issue of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent from September 6, 2019, to May 24, 2021, for the service-connected back disability was remanded.

The deciding factor: The Board concluded that the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximated the symptoms associated with a 50 percent rating and resulted in a level of impairment that most closely approximated the level of impairment associated with a 50 percent rating.

Claimed conditions

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Alcohol use disorder, Major depressive disorder, Intervertebral disc syndrome

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

January 21, 2025

Citation

25000755

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