The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral flat feet, finding that it was not factually ascertainable that her disability had worsened prior to May 24, 2017.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show a factual basis for an increase in the veteran's disabilities prior to the date of receipt of her claim on May 24, 2017.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, Bilateral flat feet with plantar fasciitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 25, 2024
- Citation
- 24003860
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.
- Granted
The veteran was granted initial disability ratings of 70 percent for generalized anxiety disorder and 50 percent for bilateral flat feet with plantar fasciitis, effective from November 4, 2017 to June 23, 2022.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
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