The Veteran's PTSD and related disabilities have been granted effective from December 15, 2016. SMC-L is granted based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected conditions. The Veteran also qualifies for five half steps of SMC-P under specific criteria. No higher level of SMC is warranted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD disability is rated at 100% since December 15, 2016, the day after his discharge from service. He meets the requirements for SMC-L due to needing aid and attendance related to multiple service-connected disabilities. The five half steps of SMC-P are granted based on having five additional permanent disabilities independently rated at 50% or more.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury with cerebral contusion and cognitive impairment, Bruxism, Hypersomnia, Vertigo
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- September 17, 2024
- Citation
- A24057062
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 A24057062.
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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