The appeal for an earlier effective date prior to March 1, 2021, for the award of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder was dismissed as it constitutes an impermissible freestanding claim.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's current claim seeking an effective date prior to March 1, 2021, for the award of service connection for PTSD constitutes an impermissible attempt to establish a 'freestanding' claim under Rudd v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 296 (2006).
- Claimed conditions
- posttraumatic stress disorder with alcohol, cocaine, and cannabis use disorder in sustained remission
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 6, 2025
- Citation
- A25050093
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.