The Board denied an earlier effective date for the 70 percent rating of a psychiatric disability, finding no factually ascertainable increase in severity during the one-year lookback period.
The deciding factor: There was no evidence showing that the Veteran's symptoms warranted a 70 percent rating from March 6, 2015, to May 22, 2020, as his symptoms were consistently noted to be within the criteria for a lower rating during this period.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major Depressive Disorder, Panic Disorder without Agoraphobia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 31, 2024
- Citation
- A24070879
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 a disability rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, effective October 24, 2017. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability due to the need for a more comprehensive medical examination and opinion.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, as it needs a medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the condition prior to October 16, 2023.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.
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