The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for PTSD, dyshidrotic eczema of the hands, and thoracolumbar spine strain. The Board finds that there is no probative evidence that the Veteran submitted any formal or informal communications with respect to these conditions prior to his October 2012 claim.,The effective dates assigned by VA are the earliest possible under the law.
The deciding factor: There was no submission of a formal or informal claim for service connection prior to the October 2012 date, and therefore earlier effective dates cannot be granted.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Dyshidrotic Eczema of the Hands, Thoracolumbar Spine Strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 24, 2019
- Citation
- 19180836
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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