The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability but granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (s) rate as of February 16, 2022.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating due to their severity and frequency, while he was unemployable due to his single service-connected disability and combined evaluation of unrelated disabilities exceeding 60 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with Major Depressive Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 6, 2025
- Citation
- A25041145
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 837 · Granted: 24% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A25041145.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder caused significant occupational and social impairment, but not total impairment. The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent prior to September 26, 2019.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The current 70 percent rating is maintained.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder is dismissed as it constitutes an impermissible concurrent election under the rule against concurrent elections.
- Denied
The rating reductions from 100% to 70% for PTSD with major depressive disorder and from 40% to 30% for residual painful scars of the trunk and lower extremities were improper. The ratings have been restored.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not show actual improvement in her ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work, as evidenced by consistent symptoms and functional limitations.
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