The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 17, 2014 for his award of a 50 percent rating for PTSD with secondary alcohol and cannabis use disorder is granted. The Veteran also contends that increased ratings are warranted for his service-connected PTSD with secondary alcohol and cannabis use disorder and lumbar strain with degenerative changes, as well as entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: An increase in disability occurred on June 17, 2013, which is within one year prior to the Veteran's claim for an increased rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Secondary Alcohol Use Disorder, Secondary Cannabis Use Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- January 23, 2020
- Citation
- 20005385
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.
- 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.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.