The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were not permanent and total as of September 20, 2016. Therefore, the effective date for her Dependent's Education Assistance (DEA) benefits cannot be earlier than September 20, 2016.
The deciding factor: The RO found that the Veteran’s PTSD was not static and there was a likelihood of improvement, which meant it could not be considered permanent as of September 20, 2016.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Thoracolumbar spine strain, Residuals of a right shoulder injury, Residuals of a spiral fracture of the distal left fibula, Abdominal scars, Hypothyroidism, Hallux valgus with arthritis to the right foot, Right knee retropatellar pain syndrome, Acne rosacea, Right-sided capitus and trapezius myofascial chronic tears, Left hip trochanter bursitis, Dry eye, Tinnitus, Spider veins of the right leg, Spider veins of the left leg
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 7, 2019
- Citation
- 19144171
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,036 · Granted: 27% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19144171.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
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