The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of increased ratings for PTSD and IBS was denied. The Veteran is entitled to a rating in excess of 40 percent for her back disability, a rating in excess of 20 percent for her right lumbar radiculopathy, a rating in excess of 20 percent for her right knee disability based on limited flexion, a rating in excess of 10 percent for her right knee disability based on subluxation, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for her left knee patellofemoral syndrome.,The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of increased ratings for PTSD and IBS was granted. The Veteran is entitled to a rating of 30 percent for her IBS as of October 8, 2011.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that there had been an increase in disability within one year prior to the May 7, 2012 increased rating claim.,There was a worsening of the Veteran’s IBS on October 8, 2011, which is within one year prior to the May 7, 2012 increased rating claim.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 13, 2020
- Citation
- 20012381
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 20012381.
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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