The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection for PTSD, as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor. The remaining issues on appeal were remanded and are currently pending.
The deciding factor: PTSD requires a verified in-service stressor, which the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to support.
- Claimed conditions
- Arthritis of the right knee, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Groin pain, Disorder manifested by blood in the urine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 26, 2017
- Citation
- 1748334
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1748334.
What this means for you
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- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher level of SMC was denied as the Board found that he is already in receipt of SMC at the (l) rate based on need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure. A second award of SMC at the (l) rate based on need for regular aid and attendance was not warranted.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that there is no competent evidence linking any principal or contributory cause of his death to his service.
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