CAVC Case 17-4391: PTSD
CAVCReal U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) decision · 2017-09-19 · MEREDITH, Judge
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
PTSDAnxietyPsychiatricBackHeadacheRespiratoryGIEyeArthritisHypertension
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Issues on Appeal
Service ConnectionEffective DateReopenIncreased RatingPTSD
Why It Was Decided This Way
hat condition encompassed claims for benefits for all of his cardiovascular conditions and that the Board failed to consider entitlement to benefits for those conditions.
He does not argue that the Board erred in denying him benefits for hypertension specifically.
The RO declined to reopen the claim in February 2002,finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.
In the September 2017 decision on appeal,the Board determined that a compensable disability rating of 30% was only warranted for the period between February 20,2007,and March 9,2008,based on the February 2007 VA medical examination.
The Board denied entitlement to a compensable initial disability rating between December 2,1997,and February 19, 2007,and from March 10,2008,finding that the vast majority of .
In a March 2014 VA hypertension examination report,the examiner concluded that hypertension was not related to sarcoidosis or Reiter's syndrome.
In the decision on appeal,the Board denied benefits for hypertension,finding no evidence that hypertension was related to service or to any service-connected disabilities.
In the February 2002 rating decision,the RO declined to reopen the claim,finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.
Authorities Cited
Denial Type
Credibility|Not New Material|Cue
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