The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to August 12, 2020, for the 100 percent disability rating for PTSD and trichotillomania with anxiety and alcohol use disorder in early full remission is denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to these conditions.
The deciding factor: The January 2019 rating decision that increased the disability rating from 50 percent to 70 percent with an effective date of November 20, 2018, was not timely appealed and became final. The evidence does not support a finding of a factually ascertainable increase in symptoms within one year preceding August 12, 2020.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Trichotillomania, Anxiety, Alcohol Use Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- December 2, 2024
- Citation
- A24079190
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 A24079190.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, finding the appellant's symptoms did not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of February 21, 2007, for the award of service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder with anxious distress.
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