BVA Case 19-3106: PTSD
BVAReal Board of Veterans' Appeals decision · · DYK
Conditions Claimed
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 |
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Issues on Appeal
PTSDDepressionBackSkinEye
Why It Was Decided This Way
2001), to determine that the “benefit of the doubt rule” under 38 U.
The Board concluded that “the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim and entitlement” for a disability rating greater than 30% for PTSD.
§ 5107(b) and wrongly found that he was not entitled to the “benefit of the doubt.
MCDONOUGH 5 determination of a matter, the Secretary shall give the benefit of the doubt to the claimant.
Lynch’s assertion that he was entitled to the benefit of the doubt and affirmed the Board’s decision, reasoning that “the doctrine of reasonable doubt .
d[oes] not apply here because the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.
In support of its reasoning, the Veterans Court relied on Ortiz, which held that “the benefit of the doubt rule is inapplicable when the preponderance of the evidence is found to be against the claimant.
§ 5107(b) by requiring an equal or even balance of the evidence to give the benefit of the doubt to the claimant.
Authorities Cited
Regulations Cited (38 CFR / 38 USC)
Denial Type
Credibility|Preponderance Against
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