12-28 747, 12-28 747

Veteran served 1967–1969; service connection for PTSD with depressive disorder was granted and an initial 30% rating assigned effective November 2009.
Veteran appealed seeking an increased initial rating greater than 30%; hearing held June 2016; Board remanded December 2016 for a VA psychiatric exam and records; additional VA exam obtained June 2017.
VA examinations (Mar 2010, Jun 2017) and treatment records documented symptoms including depressed mood, anxiety, irritability, panic attacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and occasional memory lapses; GAF around 60.
Evidence showed the Veteran remained independent in self-care, managed finances, drove, ran a business after service, and maintained family relationships (though limited social activity and divorce noted).
June 2017 VA psychiatrist and prior examiners concluded symptoms produced occupational and social impairment with occasional decreased work efficiency and intermittent inability to perform tasks—consistent with a 30% rating.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Entitlement to an initial disability rating >30% for service‑connected PTSD	PTSD symptoms (panic, nightmares, depression, irritability, isolation, reported suicidal thoughts) cause greater occupational/social impairment warranting 50%+	Record and VA exams show symptoms consistent with 30% criteria: only occasional decreased efficiency and intermittent inability to perform tasks; functioning generally satisfactory	Denied — rating in excess of 30% not warranted

Stegall v. West, 11 Vet. App. 268 (1998) (remand compliance standard)
Vazquez‑Claudio v. Shinseki, 713 F.3d 112 (2013) (§4.130 is symptom‑driven; must assess symptomatology and resulting impairment)
Mauerhan v. Principi, 16 Vet. App. 436 (2002) (symptoms listed in §4.130 are illustrative)
Schafrath v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 589 (1991) (need to consider complete medical history for rating)
Gilbert v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 49 (1990) (preponderance of evidence standard)
Massey v. Brown, 7 Vet. App. 204 (1994) (GAF score may be probative of occupational/social impairment)
Doucette v. Shulkin, 28 Vet. App. 366 (2017) (Board need not address issues not raised by claimant or reasonably raised by record)