The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence and marijuana abuse is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted. The case is being remanded for further examination to determine if there are any symptoms or impacts on functioning due to service-connected PTSD that cannot be distinguished from those due to other causes.
The deciding factor: The April 2015 VA examiner's conclusion that attributing symptoms to the Veteran’s PTSD could not be done because it would be purely speculative is deemed inadequate, necessitating a new examination to determine which symptoms are attributable to service-connected PTSD and which are not distinguishable from other causes.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Alcohol Dependence in partial remission, Marijuana Abuse
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20046124
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 20046124.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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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