Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Denied

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to January 18, 2013, for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The decision was based on the fact that the new evidence consisted of newly added service department records and did not require the Veteran to provide sufficient information.

The deciding factor: The Board applied the version of 38 C.F.R. § 3.156(c) in effect at the time of the 1994 claim, which does not allow for reconsideration based on newly added service department records unless they were misplaced or corrected an earlier error.

Claimed conditions
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with alcohol and cannabis dependence (in remission)
How they argued it
Not specified
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
July 8, 2020
Citation
20045358

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 20045358.

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

Free starter guide for your own claim

Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.

We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.

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.