The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of April 14, 2020, for a 70 percent evaluation of PTSD with alcohol use disorder. The Board found that there was no factually ascertainable increase in severity within one year prior to the claim being filed on April 14, 2020.
The deciding factor: The earliest date that it is factually ascertainable that an increase in disability occurred is after the date of the Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating (April 14, 2020).
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with alcohol use disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- September 24, 2024
- Citation
- A24059983
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 A24059983.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD with alcohol use disorder was denied as the evidence did not establish a new and material condition to reopen his original claim, and the service records were deemed insufficient to support a reopening of the case.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is granted a 70 percent rating from January 30, 2013 to March 3, 2020. A higher rating is denied for the period after March 4, 2020.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder was granted, effective February 7, 2020. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's symptoms closely approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Board finds that an examination is needed to determine if the Veteran requires aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities alone.
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.