The Veteran seeks an effective date earlier than January 28, 2011 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Board finds that the proper effective date is the date of receipt of the claim or the date entitlement arose, whichever is later.,The Veteran seeks an effective date earlier than January 28, 2011 for a higher evaluation for psoriasis. The evidence shows systemic therapy with immunosuppressive drugs starting more than one year prior to the date of the claim.
The deciding factor: The March 2000 rating decision denying service connection for major depression remained pending and did not become final due to the timely filed NOD in April 2000. The Veteran's entitlement to service connection for PTSD arose prior to January 12, 2000.,The Veteran began using systemic corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs more than one year before the date of his claim for increase.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Acquired Psychiatric Disorders, Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 27, 2018
- Citation
- 18138647
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 18138647.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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