The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD with alcohol use disorder was denied as the evidence did not establish a new and material condition to reopen his original claim, and the service records were deemed insufficient to support a reopening of the case.
The deciding factor: The submitted documents did not provide credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor or meet the criteria for new and material evidence under VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with alcohol use disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 24, 2026
- Citation
- A26038513
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A26038513.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is granted a 70 percent rating from January 30, 2013 to March 3, 2020. A higher rating is denied for the period after March 4, 2020.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder was granted, effective February 7, 2020. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's symptoms closely approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Board finds that an examination is needed to determine if the Veteran requires aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities alone.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board has determined that he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to his symptoms not meeting the requirements of a total occupational and social impairment.
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