The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent rating for PTSD prior to April 26, 2019 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date based on the Veteran's symptoms.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating for DDD of the cervical spine prior to April 26, 2019 was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show forward flexion of 15 degrees or less or favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms were best summarized as occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity for PTSD prior to April 26, 2019. There was no evidence showing impaired memory loss, illogical speech rate, tone or volume, poor hygiene, issue with impulse control, irritability leading to violence, or panic attacks.,For DDD of the cervical spine, there was full range of motion and no ankylosis of the entire lumbar spine prior to April 26, 2019. The Veteran's symptoms did not show the functional equivalent of ankylosis.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the cervical spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 10, 2022
- Citation
- 22013908
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 22013908.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 27, 2019 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no earlier claim document in the claims file and the Veteran did not timely perfect an appeal.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted as a result of military sexual trauma (MST) that occurred during service. The Board found the Veteran's testimony and supporting evidence credible, including her VA and private treatment records.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted with an effective date of August 17, 2022. The decision also denies the Veteran's request for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) due to lack of need for aid and attendance or being housebound.
- Granted
The Board has granted eligibility to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the October 2024 rating decision for an increased PTSD rating and denied TDIU.
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.