The Board denied an initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD, finding the Veteran's disability most closely approximated the level of impairment contemplated by the 70 percent criteria.
The deciding factor: The Veteran experienced symptoms such as suicidal ideation and near-continuous panic or depression affecting his ability to function independently, appropriately, and effectively, which caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. However, the severity did not more closely approximate a rating higher than 70 percent under DC 9411.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate, traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- June 5, 2025
- Citation
- A25049714
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 service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, right wrist strain, and TBI. The Veteran's PTSD rating was remanded for further development.
- Dismissed
The veteran's appeal requests for service connection and increased ratings were denied due to untimeliness, as the appeals were not filed within one year of the respective rating decisions.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral plantar fasciitis, chronic pain syndrome, sciatic radicular pain of both legs, traumatic brain injury (TBI), shin splints of both legs, thoracic spondylosis, right shoulder strain, right wrist strain, acne, and allergic rhinitis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the service connection claim for a traumatic brain injury to ensure that VA's duty to assist is followed and that the Veteran is afforded every possible consideration.
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