Increased Rating for PTSD From 50% to 70% Through DBQ Strategy

A Marine combat veteran rated at 50% for PTSD had visibly worsened over four years — workloss, two hospitalizations, marriage strain, suicidal ideation. His VA mental-health DBQ from a treating provider used soft language ("some difficulty with work and social functioning") that mapped to the 50% bracket rather than 70%.

• Treating-provider DBQ at 50% language
• Psychiatric hospitalization records
• Employer documentation of attendance and performance
• Veteran's lay statement of symptom severity
• No DBQ engaging with the 70% rating criteria specifically

• Reviewed the 38 CFR § 4.130 rating-criteria language for 70%: "occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas..."
• Re-documented symptom severity to map directly onto the 70% criteria
• Coordinated a clinically appropriate DBQ that captured: panic attacks more than once weekly, near-continuous depression affecting functioning, suicidal ideation, neglect of personal hygiene episodes, difficulty in work and family relationships.
• Coordinated lay statements (spouse, employer) corroborating the documented impairment.
• Avoided overclaim — symptoms were documented to the level supported, not beyond