CAVC Case 21-5184: PTSD
CAVCReal U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) decision · 2021-06-02 · 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
PTSDPsychiatricBackSleep ApneaHipTBIRadiculopathy
Referral disclosure: VetAid earns a referral fee if you become a paying REE Medical client through this link — it helps keep this site free. REE Medical provides paid medical evidence; it is not a law firm, VSO, or claims agent, and VetAid has not independently verified its services. VSOs and VA-accredited representatives will help you file your claim at no cost, and no one can guarantee a rating increase.
Issues on Appeal
Back ConditionService ConnectionPTSDSleep ApneaHip Condition
Why It Was Decided This Way
In July 2011,the appellant underwent a VA peripheral nerves examination;the examiner diagnosed lumbar degenerative disc disease with right lower extremity sciatica and opined that the conditions were not related to service.
Additionally,the Board found that a remand of the remaining claims was required because corroboration of the in-service MST and a decision regarding entitlement to compensation for an acquired psychiatric disorder could affect the TBI, lumbar spine,and left hip disability claims � purported to result from the in-service MST � as well as the sleep disorder and gastrointestinal disability claims � alleged to be secondary to the other disabilities.
On June 2,2021,the Board denied entitlement to disability compensation for a TBI, a lumbar spine disability,a left hip disability,sleep apnea,and a gastrointestinal disability.
1, November 2015,and April 2016 VA examinations relied on by the Board were inadequate and that the Board failed to provide sufficient reasons or bases for its reliance on those examination reports.
Specifically,as to the TBI,she argues that the Board failed to explain why it discounted her lay statements showing a nexus between the in-service MST and the onset of her cognitive impairments despite finding those statements competent and credible.
However,she also contends that the Board misunderstood her statements when it discounted them because they attempted to prove nexus.
And she avers that the Board failed to explain why it did not consider alternate theories of entitlement,namely, dementia secondary to a TBI or MST.
Regarding the sleep apnea claim,she contends that the Board failed to explain why it did not obtain a medical examination and why that claim is not inextricably intertwined with the remanded psychiatric disorder claim,particularly given the Board's previous determination that the two issues were intertwined.
Authorities Cited
Denial Type
Credibility|No Nexus|Inadequate Exam
Find Similar Decisions for Your Claim
VetAid's analyzer maps your claim against thousands of real Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions like this one — surfacing the exact case law that supports your arguments.
Run my claim through VetAid →