An effective date of July 24, 2019, but no earlier, for the award of service connection for PTSD with alcohol use disorder, cannabis use disorder, and major depressive disorder is granted.,Entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for the period prior to January 14, 2020, for a psychiatric disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is remanded.
The deciding factor: Effective date of July 24, 2019, as the earliest possible assignable effective date in this case for the award of service connection for a psychiatric disorder was determined.,The Veteran's claim for increased initial evaluation must be denied due to lack of total occupational and social impairment during the appeal period.,TDIU should have been addressed by the AOJ.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Alcohol Use Disorder, Cannabis Use Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- November 2, 2023
- Citation
- A23030744
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 A23030744.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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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