BVA Case 19-5212: PTSD
BVAReal Board of Veterans' Appeals decision · · STOLL
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
PTSDAnxietyPsychiatricBackEye
Why It Was Decided This Way
The Board reached that conclu- sion because, although it recognized that a veteran is entitled to the benefit of the doubt “where the evidence is in approximate balance,” it found that, in Mr.
Mattox’s case, “the preponderance of the evidence” was against his claim for service connection.
Like the RO, the Board found that “the weight of the evidence” did not support Mr.
at 78, and the Board noted what it viewed as deficiencies in the diagnosis of Mr.
The Board concluded its opinion with the following statement: [T]he Board has reviewed all medical and lay evi- dence, but finds there is no probative evidence of record which establishes that the Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD during the pendency of his appeal.
Although the Veteran is entitled to the benefit of the doubt where the evidence is in ap- proximate balance, the benefit of the doubt doctrine is inapplicable where, as here, the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim for service connec- tion.
4 Thus, he contended, the Board erred by not providing him with the more fulsome notice required by the amended version of § 5104(b).
Mattox urged, the VA was required by law to give him the benefit of the doubt and concede that he suffered from service-connected PTSD.
Authorities Cited
Regulations Cited (38 CFR / 38 USC)
Denial Type
Credibility|Preponderance Against
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