The claim for PTSD is reopened and denied. The Veteran's MDD, already service-connected, remains in effect with a rating of 70%. The Veteran's request for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance due to his MDD is also denied.
The deciding factor: There was no corroborated stressor event supporting the PTSD claim, and the preponderance of evidence did not support service connection for PTSD. The Veteran’s MDD does not meet the criteria for SMP as he is not bedridden or in need of regular A&A due to his disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major Depressive Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- April 12, 2019
- Citation
- 19128762
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of February 21, 2007, for the award of service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder with anxious distress.
- Granted
The Board granted a rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), as the Veteran's symptoms most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Granted
The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
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