The Board denied earlier effective dates for the increased ratings for PTSD with major depressive disorder and TBI, as well as a right shoulder strain.
The deciding factor: No increase in disability was factually ascertainable within one year prior to December 31, 2019, and there were no pending claims that could serve as the basis for an earlier effective date.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD with major depressive disorder and traumatic brain injury (TBI), Right shoulder strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 6, 2025
- Citation
- A25050045
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include a mood disorder and alcohol abuse disorder, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The other claims for increased ratings were denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for chronic kidney disease and service connection for blurry vision, left shoulder strain, and right shoulder strain.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed all claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for service-connected conditions, as well as the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, due to the Veteran's death and the fact that no unadjudicated issues were pending at the time of his passing.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and related knee and shoulder strains as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.
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