The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with insomnia disorder and alcohol use disorder was granted effective from September 25, 2017. The Board found that the October 2018 rating decision contained clear and unmistakable error in failing to apply the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.156(b) regarding new and material evidence received within one year of the November 2011 denial, leading to an earlier effective date of September 8, 2010.
The deciding factor: The medical records demonstrated that the Veteran had PTSD symptoms prior to her initial claim in September 2010, which was considered new and material evidence received within one year of the November 2011 denial.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Insomnia disorder, Alcohol use disorder
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- March 13, 2026
- Citation
- A26022983
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 A26022983.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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