help understanding code 8004

[youngparkie]

When was is rated code 8004 it only shows a minumum rating of 30%. It does not show a moderate or severe just a minimum of 30%. mY VSO who I have lost all faith in stated that when it has only one rating (in this case a minimum ) then that is all they can rate it on as there is no standard for the rater to base there decision upon. Is this true ? If not how does the rater justify anything past the minimum . By justify I mean say one is rated 50% for code 8004 ( I beileve that is the correct code ) how does the rater justify the 50%. To use ptsd as an example it is outlined as to what symptoms = what rating and therefore is a guidline for the rater to work from. Or is it that if one is not the minimum then they are the maximum. This seems to either be cut and dry or very subjective and down right confusing. Now I know of some rated 8004 that are at 100% for just code 8004 leading me to beileve my vso is wrong. I know of 2 other ppl other than myself rated for 8004 both of which had an initial rating of 30% . One was increased upon review to 100% and they other had other ratings taht equaled a total of 60%. I have lost contact with the second person so I have no idea if they ever asked for a increase or what the results would have been. I find it intriguing that all started at 30% supporting a previous statement by Cruiser that at times the va will start one at the minimum to get them in the system and then leave it up to the vet from there. Any help to understand this I would greatly appreciate.
Chris