The Board denied an increased disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder with persistent depressive disorder, finding that a 70 percent rating was appropriate given the severity of symptoms but not warranting a higher 100 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment sufficient to warrant a 100 percent rating; instead, it showed occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to such symptoms as depression, anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and irritability.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with Persistent Depressive Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 20, 2025
- Citation
- A25045418
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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder was granted a 70 percent rating, while other service-connected conditions were denied higher ratings.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been found to result in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent rating.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not rise to the level of total occupational and social impairment.
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