The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his psychiatric disorder, specifically somatic symptom disorder (SSD), is granted with an effective date of March 12, 2021. The evidence shows that the severity of his symptoms warranted this rating since the initial claim.
The deciding factor: The severity of the Veteran's SSD from March 12, 2021, more closely approximated a 50% disability rating based on documented symptoms and medical reports.
- Claimed conditions
- Somatic Symptom Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 19, 2024
- Citation
- A24058454
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 A24058454.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected hypertension and somatic symptom disorder are denied. The Board has remanded the claims for cardiovascular, peripheral artery disease, and lung cancer with emphysema.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for somatic symptom disorder with PTSD and right shoulder strain were granted, but the effective dates are set to December 26, 2019, based on new evidence submitted after a previous final decision.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and needs additional information from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disabilities, including specific phobia of natural environment.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's appeal, finding that reducing his PTSD rating from 50% to 30% was improper and that severing service connection for vertigo and combining it with tinnitus ratings were also improper.
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.