Citation Nr: 21010098 Decision Date: 02/24/21 Archive Date: 02/24/21 DOCKET NO. 16-61 542 DATE: February 24, 2021 ORDER Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) prior to May 9, 2016 and in excess of 50 percent thereafter is denied. FINDINGS OF FACT 1. Prior to May 9, 2016, the preponderance of the evidence shows that the symptomatology of the Veteran’s PTSD more nearly approximates occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily with routine behavior, self-care, and conversation normal). 2. From May 9, 2016, the preponderance of the evidence shows that the symptomatology of the Veteran’s PTSD more nearly approximates occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW 1. Prior to May 9, 2016, the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD have not been met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1155, 5107; 38 C.F.R. §§ 4.3, 4.7, 4.130, Diagnostic Code 9411. 2. From May 9, 2016, the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD have not been met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1155, 5107; 38 C.F.R. §§ 4.3, 4.7, 4.130, Diagnostic Code 9411. REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS The Veteran served on active duty from November 1992 to October 2008. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a September 2014 rating decision issued by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). In a November 2016 rating decision, the RO increased the Veteran’s rating for PTSD to 50 percent disabling, effective May 9, 2016. As the grant of a 50 percent rating, effective May 9, 2016, did not constitute a full grant of the benefits sought, the increased rating issue remains on appeal. AB v. Brown, 6 Vet. App. 35, 39 (1993). In March 2019, the Veteran testified at a videoconference hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge (VLJ). A transcript of that proceeding has been associated with the record. The Board previously remanded the case in August 2020 for further development. The requested development has been completed to the extent possible, and no further action is necessary to comply with the Board’s remand directives. Stegall v. West, 11 Vet. App. 268 (1998). Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to May 9, 2016 and in excess of 50 percent thereafter The Veteran is seeking increased disability ratings for his service-connected PTSD. Specifically, the Veteran contends that his PTSD is more severe than reflected by his assigned disability ratings. A disability rating is determined by the application of VA’s Schedule for Rating Disabilities (Rating Schedule), 38 C.F.R. Part 4. The percentage ratings contained in the Rating Schedule represent, as far as can be practicably determined, the average impairment in earning capacity resulting from diseases and injuries incurred or aggravated during military service and their residual conditions in civil occupations. Separate diagnostic codes identify the various disabilities. 38 U.S.C. § 1155; 38 C.F.R. § 4.1. VA has a duty to acknowledge and consider all regulations that are potentially applicable through the assertions and issues raised in the record, and to explain the reasons and bases for its conclusions. Schafrath v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 589 (1991). Where there is a question as to which of two evaluations shall be applied, the higher evaluation will be assigned if the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria for that rating. Otherwise, the lower rating will be assigned. 38 C.F.R. § 4.7. The Board will consider whether separate ratings may be assigned for separate periods of time based on facts found, a practice known as “staged ratings,” whether it is an initial rating case or not. Fenderson v. West, 12 Vet. App. 119, 126-27 (1999); Hart v. Mansfield, 21 Vet. App. 505 (2007). The regulations for mental disorders are found in 38 C.F.R. §§ 4.125-4.130. The Board notes that the Veteran’s diagnosis of PTSD is evaluated under Diagnostic Code 9411 and is rated according to the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. Pursuant to the rating formula, a 30 percent disability rating is warranted for occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily with routine behavior, self-care, and conversation normal), due to symptoms such as: depressed mood; anxiety; suspiciousness; panic attacks (weekly or less); chronic sleep impairment; and mild memory loss (such as forgetting names, directions, and recent events). A 50 percent disability rating is warranted for occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to such symptoms as: flattened affect; circumstantial, circumlocutory, or stereotyped speech; panic attacks more than once a week; difficulty in understanding complex commands; impairment of short- and long-term memory (e.g., retention of only highly learned material, forgetting to complete tasks); impaired judgment; impaired abstract thinking; disturbances of motivation and mood; and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. A 70 percent disability rating is warranted for occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to such symptoms as: suicidal ideation; obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities; speech intermittently illogical, obscure, or irrelevant; near- continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively; impaired impulse control (such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence); spatial disorientation; neglect of personal appearance and hygiene; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances (including work or a work like setting); and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. A 100 percent disability rating is warranted for total occupational and social impairment, due to such symptoms as: gross impairment in thought processes or communication; persistent delusions or hallucinations; grossly inappropriate behavior; persistent danger of hurting self or others; intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living (including maintenance of minimal personal hygiene); disorientation to time or place; and memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name. When determining the appropriate disability evaluation to assign, the Board’s primary consideration is the veteran’s symptoms, but it must also make findings as to how those symptoms impact the veteran’s occupational and social impairment. Vazquez-Claudio v. Shinseki, 713 F.3d 112, 118 (Fed. Cir. 2013); Mauerhan v. Principi, 16 Vet. App. 436, 442 (2002). Because the use of the term “such as” in the rating criteria demonstrates that the symptoms after that phrase are not intended to constitute an exhaustive list, the Board need not find the presence of all, most, or even some, of the enumerated symptoms to award a specific rating. Mauerhan, 16 Vet. App. at 442; see also Sellers v. Principi, 372 F.3d 1318, 1326-27 (Fed. Cir. 2004). Nevertheless, all ratings in the general rating formula are also associated with objectively observable symptomatology and the plain language of the regulation makes it clear that the veteran’s impairment must be “due to” those symptoms, a veteran may only qualify for a given disability by demonstrating the particular symptoms associated with that percentage, or others of similar severity, frequency, and duration. Vazquez-Claudio, 713 F.3d at 118. Turning to the evidence of record, in a September 2013 treatment record, the Veteran reported he was overwhelmed and very stressed because he was currently in school full time, working full time at night, and raising three children. His mood was depressed, but not hopeless. He denied suicidal ideation. The Veteran reported poor sleep, low energy, poor concentration and memory, anhedonia, and weight loss. He had physical issues and was going to transition to part time deskwork in December. The Veteran noted his marriage was strained under the stress of work, school, and family. The Veteran’s speech was coherent and unimpaired, and his affect was appropriate and unremarkable. His mood was euthymic. The Veteran’s thought content was organized and goal directed, and there was no evidence of excessive agitation or restlessness. There were no signs of psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions. In October 2013, the Veteran reported continued sleep impairment and memory problems. His mood was stable but not depressed. The Veteran reported he was getting along better with his fiancé and was looking forward to a job change in December that would reduce his physical pain. Additionally, he would be graduating with his bachelor’s degree soon. Suicidal or homicidal ideation were not present. The Veteran was noted with appropriate and unremarkable affect, coherent and unimpaired speech, and euthymic mood. His thought content was organized and goal directed. There was no evidence of excessive agitation or restlessness, or psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions. In a March 2014 treatment record, the Veteran reported returning from a trip to Disneyland with his family. He had returned to work and was completing his bachelor’s degree. The Veteran noted that his sleep continued to be disturbed by his work schedule. No suicidal or homicidal ideation was indicated. The Veteran was noted with coherent and unimpaired speech and organized, and goal directed thought content. His affect was unremarkable and appropriate, and his mood was euthymic. There was no evidence of excessive agitation or restlessness and no psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions. In April 2014, the Veteran reported he had finished his bachelor’s degree and was beginning courses towards another degree. He was also working extra hours at work. The Veteran reported he was stressed, which was exacerbated by challenging behavior from his 12-year-old son. He continued to have sleep problems. The Veteran’s mood was depressed and he noted his was feeling more irritable and reactive with continued memory problems. He felt detached from others and frustrated. The Veteran was noted with coherent and unimpaired speech, and organized and goal directed thought content. His affect was unremarkable and appropriate, and his mood was euthymic. There was no evidence of excessive agitation or restlessness and no psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions. The Veteran was afforded a VA examination in September 2014. The Veteran reported he was currently engaged to this third wife and that three of his five children lived with him. Since separation from the Air Force, the Veteran noted he had earned an undergraduate degree in psychology and was currently enrolled in college full time for another degree in security management. He intended to pursue a master’s degree. He noted he was working over full time as a security guard monitoring cameras. The Veteran reported he had received mental health services since 1998 due to missing his family and feeling depressed. He had assaulted his supervisor in service and was required to attend treatment. The Veteran noted he had been in treatment continuously since then. He was not currently taking any prescribed psychotropic medications. Following review of the Veteran’s file and examination, the VA examiner noted diagnoses of PTSD with adjustment disorder with depressed and anxious mood and personality disorder not otherwise specified (NOS) and indicated that it was not possible to differentiate what symptoms were attributable to each diagnosis. Symptoms related to the Veteran’s diagnoses included depressed mood, chronic sleep impairment, and disturbances of motivation and mood. The examiner observed that the Veteran appeared to be engaging in impression management as evidenced by often exaggerated reporting of symptoms and reporting problems with his memory that were not typical and highly unlikely. The Veteran reported working 60 hours a week, attending school, and raising three children, which the examiner noted did not coincide with his claimed inability to remember what his job was for 17 years in the Air Force or recall his phone number, and his claims of sleeplessness and debilitating daily flashbacks, nightmares, and dissociative episodes. The Veteran reported he did not like to go out anymore, but the examiner noted he worked more than 40 hours a week and attended school full time. The examiner indicated that the Veteran’s PTSD caused occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decreased efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant distress, or symptoms controlled by medication. A July 2014 treatment record noted the Veteran was alert and fully oriented with normal speech. A May 2015 treatment noted indicated that the Veteran denied suicidal or homicidal ideation. He did not currently participate in mental health treatment. In a June 2015 mental health triage evaluation note, the Veteran reported continued symptoms of PTSD which included regular nightmares, intrusive memories, poor memory, hypervigilance, and reactions to reminders of service. He noted he worked at night as a security guard and was in school full time. The Veteran reported he remained connected to family and enjoyed spending time with his wife and kids, and playing videogames. He was frustrated by limitations imposed by physical pain. The Veteran reported a suicide attempt in 2006 and was hospitalized for two weeks. He denied current suicidal ideation or problems with violence. He was future focused and pleased that he and his family were poised to search for a home to purchase. On examination, the Veteran was noted as appropriately dressed and groomed with mildly slow rate of speech with normal rhythm. He was calm and cooperative, and his mood was somewhat dysphoric with congruent affect, blunted, and brightened when talking about his family. Cognition was not formally tested but presented as within normal limits. Thought processes were linear and no disturbances were noted. Judgement and insight were fair. The Veteran denied suicidal or homicidal ideation. An August 2015 treatment record noted that the Veteran did not want counseling, as it made him feel worse to discuss his issues. He was noted with flat affect, quiet mannerisms, and memory difficulties. The Veteran was afforded a VA examination in May 2016. The Veteran reported that since his last examination, relational and social changes had impacted his life. He reported continued difficulty with falling and staying asleep. The Veteran reported a latency of about an hour with his brain racing and reviewing issues, and his desire not to fall asleep due to nightmares. He noted he would awake due to nightmares and just stay up until it was time for his duties. He indicated he got about three hours of sleep per 24-hour period. The Veteran noted his sleep impairment began around 2006 when his wife died, and he began having nightmares. All of his other symptoms began to get substantially worse at that time. The Veteran reported he was highly socially averse and could not go into crowds, malls, or grocery stores. He felt hypervigilant constantly when not at home and was guarded, and highly irritable with verbal explosiveness daily. The VA examiner noted that it was not clear whether the Veteran was suspicious of others, but he felt complete apathy and reported deadened emotions and difficulty having loving feelings. The Veteran reported loss of connections with others and intrusive and disruptive memories of trauma that emerged randomly. He noted he was in a depressed mood most of the day every day and felt loss of interest and pleasure in usual activities, such as food and sexual libido. The Veteran reported he was sluggish and listless, with loss of concentration. He denied internal stimuli. The Veteran indicated he felt excessive anxiety and worry that was difficult to control. He felt restless, keyed up, on edge, jittery, and shaky. He lost his train of thought often. The Veteran noted increased tension in his muscles. He had panic attacks as least twice a month, during which he would experience loss of awareness or impaired attention, tunnel vision with racing heart, and labored breathing. The Veteran denied a history of violent or homicidal behavior. He reported he attempted suicide after his divorce in 1998 by overdosing on medication. He was saved by a friend who found him and took him to the emergency room. The Veteran attempted suicide a second time by trying to crash his car, but lived through it without injury and was hospitalized for 11 days. He reported he was free of suicidal ideation now. He took no prescriptions for psychiatric medications and was not in counseling. On examination, the VA examiner noted that the Veteran was dressed casually and appropriately. He was alert and fully oriented with slow and deliberate speech. The Veteran’s thought processes were logical and goal directed. His recent and remote memory appeared to be impaired. The Veteran was able to track the conversation during interview and provide a coherent history. He did not experience any word finding difficulties or parapraxis. The Veteran’s mood was dysphoric and his affect was flat. He did not seem to be a threat to himself or others. The Veteran was appropriately oriented and demonstrated immediate and working memory within normal limits. He demonstrated the ability to understand and follow directions within the normal range. Following review of the Veteran’s file and examination, the VA examiner noted diagnoses of PTSD, which accounted for sleep, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, and alcohol use disorder in full remission for 15 years. The examiner indicated that it was possible to differentiate what symptoms were attributable to each diagnosis, as his alcohol use disorder was without symptoms. Symptoms related to the Veteran’s PTSD included depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks that occurred weekly or less, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss, flattened affect, disturbances in mood and motivation, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, and difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, including work or a worklike setting. The examiner noted that the Veteran’s symptoms had steadily increased since his last VA examination for PTSD in 2014 and the impact of these symptoms on his social and occupational activities was more severe. The examiner indicated that the Veteran’s PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, although generally functioning satisfactorily with normal routine behavior, self-care, and conversation. The examiner elaborated that the Veteran would falter or find himself thrown off track or feeling angry at times with people working too close to him or not carrying their load successfully. The examiner noted that the Veteran needed to take time away to recover and get a fresh outlook and start before reentering the workplace; then he could seek goals and follow a program to reach them. The examiner added that the Veteran was cognitively quite adept. A May 2017 treatment noted there was no evidence of suicidality. In a May 2017 mental health consult, the Veteran presented after a possible stroke and indicated increased anxiety about possible subsequent strokes. He reported poor sleep, concentration impairment, irritability, hypervigilance, and trauma intrusions. The Veteran endorsed intrusive and distressing memories, nightmares, distress and physiological reaction to trauma cues, avoidance of memories, thoughts or feelings about the event, and avoidance of external reminders of the event. The Veteran reported irritability/anger outbursts, hypervigilance, concentration problems, and sleep disturbances. He endorsed memory problems, diminished interest, an inability to experience emotions, and feelings of detachment and estrangement from others. The Veteran denied flashbacks, and manic or psychotic symptoms. He noted he had struggled with panic in the past but had learned how to intervene before panic symptoms became a full attack. The Veteran noted he was hospitalized in 2000 following a substance-induced depression episode with suicide attempt with alcohol and pills. He reported sobriety since then and initiated care for his PTSD. On examination, the Veteran was noted as cooperative with appropriate grooming. He was fully oriented with short term memory impairment and impairment for remote events. The Veteran was focused and goal-directed with normal speech. His affect was blunted or constricted, and his mood was dysphoric or depressed. Thought process was linear and goal directed, and the Veteran’s insight and judgement were noted with awareness of disorders. No delusions were indicated. The Veteran denied current suicidal ideation. A September 2017 treatment record noted that the Veteran denied feelings of hopelessness about the present or future and denied thoughts of taking his own life or harming others. In November 2017, the Veteran’s wife expressed that the mental health clinic did not help the Veteran, as they did not understand he could not be in group setting. A January 2018 treatment record indicated the Veteran presented with normal speech and appropriate affect. He was alert and fully oriented with memory intact. In a February 2018 treatment record, the Veteran reported ongoing low energy and denied suicidal or homicidal ideation. He indicated he worked nights, so it was difficult to receive mental health treatment. A December 2018 treatment record noted a negative suicidal ideation screen. In April 2019, the Veteran was noted as alert, depressed and in moderate distress. A November 2019 treatment record indicated that the Veteran denied confusion, depression, or suicidal ideation. Pursuant to the Board’s August 2020 remand, the Veteran was afforded another VA examination in October 2020. The Veteran reported he lived with his wife of five years, and his three children. He noted he got along well with his wife and enjoyed playing video games with his 19-year old child. The Veteran indicated his other two children had autism/ADHD and ODD, which could be challenging. His parents and sister lived nearby, and he used to spend a lot of time with them prior to the pandemic. He reported he spent most of his free time at home and enjoyed being with his family. The Veteran reported he worked for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in the operations security area, which involved monitoring 1500 cameras all over the world. He noted he worked the graveyard shift and had worked there for 11 years. The Veteran noted he worked in a room with one other person and denied problems getting along with other people. He stated he had never had a bad evaluation in the 11 years he had worked there. The Veteran stated he worked really hard and was “really good at what I do.” The Veteran reported reexperiencing symptoms such as nightmares and unwanted memories on a regular basis, avoidance of crowds and socializing, only leaving the house to work or take a walk, negative cognitions and mood, such as mistrust of others, detachment from others, and lack of interest, and increased arousal, with chronic sleep impairment, poor concentration, wary of surroundings, and irritability without violent outbursts. Noting he worked the graveyard shift, the Veteran stated he slept four to six hours a day and did not feel rested the following day. He noted panic attacks every other week and had difficulty remembering things and keeping track of appointments. The Veteran indicated he avoided leaving the house and only went grocery shopping if his wife was present. He drove himself to work but otherwise spent most of his free time at home, frequently playing videogames. The Veteran reported that some things had gotten better since the 2016 VA examination; he slept better, there were no crowds anymore, and did not have to leave the house because of the pandemic. His wife noted that the Veteran’s night terrors had gotten worse. Though the Veteran had talked about feeling suicidal in the past, the Veteran denied experiencing suicidal ideation, plan, or hopelessness in at least a month. He denied having any psychiatric hospitalizations, anger/violent outbursts, hallucinations, or suicidal ideation or attempts since his last VA examination. He noted he was not involved in any mental health treatment at that time. On examination, the VA examiner noted the Veteran with anxious mood, appropriate affect, and logical and goal directed thought processes. He was cooperative and pleasant. The Veteran was found capable of managing his own financial affairs. Following review of the Veteran’s file and examination, the examiner noted diagnoses of PTSD and alcohol use disorder in sustained remission. The examiner indicated that it was not possible to differentiate what symptoms were attributable to each diagnosis. Symptoms related to the Veteran’s PTSD included depressed mood, anxiety, panic attacks that occurred weekly or less often, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, including work or a work like setting. The examiner indicated that the Veteran’s PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgement, thinking, and/or mood. In weighing the evidence, the Board finds that the symptomatology associated with the Veteran’s PTSD prior to May 9, 2016 more closely approximates occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, although generally functioning satisfactorily, with routine behavior, self-care, and conversation normal, consistent with a 30 percent disability rating. In this regard, the evidence of record reflects that the Veteran’s disability during this period of the appeal was predominately manifested by symptoms such as depressed mood, irritability, impaired sleep, nightmares, poor energy, poor concentration and memory, hypervigilance, and feelings of detachment. The Veteran did not exhibit flattened affect, circumstantial, circumlocutory, or stereotyped speech, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty in understanding complex commands, impairment of short- and long-term memory, impaired judgement, impaired abstract thinking, disturbances in motivation or mood, or difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships to a degree that would warrant a higher disability rating. In this regard, the Veteran was consistently noted with normal speech and fair judgement and insight. His thought content was always organized and goal directed, and his thought processes were linear and without disturbances. There were no reports of panic attacks. The majority of treatment records prior to May 9, 2016 note the Veteran with appropriate, unremarkable, or congruent affect, with the exception of an August 2015 treatment record that noted flattened affect. Further, although the record noted impairment of short- and long-term memory and disturbances in mood and motivation, the Board finds that these symptoms were not of such frequency, severity, or duration as to cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. In fact, the Veteran’s record indicates he was working full time and attending school full time. In April 2014, the Veteran reported he had recently completed one bachelor’s degree and was pursuing his second, while also working extra hours at work. In September 2014, the Veteran reported he was currently enrolled full time in school for another degree and intended on pursuing a master’s degree afterwards. He was also working full time. The Board notes that in the February 2020 VA examination, the Veteran reported he had never received a bad evaluation in the 11 years he worked his job. Accordingly, the Board finds that a disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to May 9, 2016 is not warranted. For the period following May 9, 2016, in weighing the evidence, the Board finds that the symptomatology associated with the Veteran’s PTSD more closely approximates occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity which is consistent with a 50 percent disability rating. In this regard, the evidence of record reflects that the Veteran’s disability during the appeal was predominately manifested by symptoms such as depression, anxiety, sleep impairment, impaired memory, nightmares, hypervigilance, irritability and verbal explosiveness, apathy, intrusive memories, detachment from others, anhedonia, loss of energy and low concentration, panic attacks twice monthly, flattened affect, and disturbances in mood and motivation. The Veteran did not exhibit suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, speech intermittently illogical, obscure, or irrelevant, near- continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively, impaired impulse control, spatial disorientation, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships to a degree that would warrant a higher disability rating. To the contrary, treatment records consistently indicated that the Veteran denied suicidal and homicidal ideation. His speech was always normal and deliberate and his grooming was appropriate. In May 2016, the Veteran had reported panic attacks twice a month, but by May 2017, the Veteran noted he had learned how to intervene before his panic symptoms became a full panic attack. Treatment records do not reflect any obsessional rituals and the Veteran was consistently found to be fully oriented and without psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions. Regarding impulse control, in the May 2016 VA examination, the Veteran reported he was highly irritable with verbal explosions daily. However, the Veteran denied a history of violent behavior and the examiner did not indicate issues with impulse control. Further, any degree of impulse control was not of such frequency, severity, or duration as to cause occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, as reflected by his successful academic and work accomplishments. Similarly, although the Veteran was noted with difficulties adapting to stressful circumstances and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships, the Board finds that the frequency, severity, or duration are not severe enough to warrant a higher disability rating. To this extent, the Veteran had reported good relationships with his wife and children. Prior to the pandemic, he visited often with his sister and parents who lived nearby. The Veteran earned his bachelor’s degree and was in school full time pursuing another degree. Further, he reported he worked in a room with one other person and denied having problems getting along with others. The Veteran had worked at his place of occupation for 11 years and had never had a bad evaluation. He insisted he worked hard and was good at what he did. The Board acknowledges that the February 2020 VA examiner indicated that the Veteran’s PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgement, thinking, and/or mood. However, the Board does not find that the evidence supports this finding. As noted above, the Veteran had good relationships with family members and did not have problems getting along with others, as he self-reported in the February 2020 examination. Further, there is no indication he had problems with colleagues or supervisors, which is supported by the Veteran’s report of 11 years with his employer without a bad evaluation. Finally, the Veteran reported he worked hard at his job was “really good” at it. For these reasons, the Board finds that the Veteran has not met the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to May 9, 2016, or a disability rating in excess of 50 percent thereafter. Accordingly, because the preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran’s claim, the benefit-of-the-doubt doctrine is not for application and the claim must be denied. See 38 U.S.C. § 5107(b); Gilbert v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 49 (1990). KRISTI L. GUNN Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board L. Silverblatt, Counsel The Board’s decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.