The Veteran was granted an initial 70 percent rating for PTSD with MDD and AUD from December 2, 2015 to October 29, 2018, but the claim for a higher rating was denied. The Veteran's TDIU and DEA were also granted from December 2, 2015 to March 23, 2020, and SMC based on housebound criteria was granted from June 5, 2020.
The deciding factor: The severity of the Veteran's PTSD with MDD and AUD symptoms more closely approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas during certain periods, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at other times. The TDIU and DEA were granted based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluding him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 4, 2025
- Citation
- A25019481
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