CAVC Case 00-2083: PTSD
CAVCReal U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) decision · May 24, 2002 · FARLEY
This is a decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims — the federal court that reviews Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions, one level above the Board. Court decisions can vacate, reverse, or affirm what the Board did.
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
2026 base rates, all ratings (veteran alone)
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
Conditions Claimed
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Issues on Appeal
PTSDAnxietyBack
Why It Was Decided This Way
In January 1998, the RO declined to reopen the veteran's claim because new and material evidence had not been submitted.
On several subsequent occasions the RO declined to reopen his PTSD claim also on the basis that 3 no new and material evidence had been submitted.
On July 26, 2000, the Board denied service connection for PTSD.
The Board found that the stressors that the veteran claimed to have been exposed to in Vietnam had not been verified.
ANALYSIS Service connection for PTSD requires the presence of three elements: (1) A current diagnosis of PTSD; (2) credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor actually occurred; and (3) medical evidence of a causal nexus between the current symptomatology and the claimed in-service stressor.
The Board found that "VA examination reports and clinical treatment records contain current diagnoses of PTSD.
Such evidence, at least by implication, suggests a nexus between the veteran's current disability from PTSD and the claimed in-service 4 stressors.
[C]redible supporting evidence of the actual occurrence of an in-service stressor cannot consist solely of after-the-fact medical nexus evidence.
Authorities Cited
Regulations Cited (38 CFR / 38 USC)
Denial Type
No Nexus|Not New Material
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