The Board has granted an effective date of July 15, 2020 for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder and additional disabilities. The decision also grants TDIU since June 16, 2015.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol abuse disorder alone prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since June 16, 2015, and his additional service-connected disabilities were independently ratable at 60 percent or more as of July 15, 2020.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Parkinson's disease, Difficulty chewing or swallowing, Urinary incontinence, Tremors of the left upper extremity with muscle rigidity and stiffness, Muscle rigidity and stiffness of the right upper extremity, Loss of smell, Loss of automatic movements of the right, Loss of automatic movements of the left, Tremors of the right lower extremity with muscle rigidity, stiffness, and balance impairment, Tremors of the left lower extremity with muscle rigidity and stiffness, and bradykinesia, Speech changes, Sexual dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- March 23, 2026
- Citation
- A26025557
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 A26025557.
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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