The Veteran's service connection for Burkitt's Lymphoma has been granted, effective from the date of his original claim on May 23, 2015.,Service connection for PTSD was initially granted in October 2015 with an effective date of May 5, 2015. The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date due to having experienced symptoms since 1991.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not provide clear and convincing proof that the Burkitt's Lymphoma was caused by service exposure to environmental toxins in Southwest Asia, but it is presumed based on the PACT Act. The effective date for this grant of service connection cannot be prior to August 10, 2022.,The Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence to establish that his PTSD symptoms began before May 5, 2015, and thus an earlier effective date is denied.
- Claimed conditions
- Burkitt's Lymphoma, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 11, 2023
- Citation
- 23050248
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 23050248.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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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