The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder, single episode, severe without psychosis, and alcohol use disorder and dismissed the issue of entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected conditions.
The deciding factor: The severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's psychiatric symptoms more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total occupational and social impairment. There was already a higher-level review request pending for the claim seeking entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with major depressive disorder, single episode, severe without psychosis, and alcohol use disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 1, 2025
- Citation
- A25029558
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 Board granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder, a total rating based on individual unemployability prior to October 31, 2023, and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance prior to the same date.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD effective October 1, 2023, and denied an earlier effective date for DEA benefits based on permanent and total disability status prior to that date.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder and remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU.
- Denied
The Board denied an increased rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder as the Veteran's symptoms did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment.
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