BVA Case 23012743: PTSD
BVAReal Board of Veterans' Appeals decision · March 2, 2023 · SHAUN S. SPERANZA
Conditions Claimed
PTSDDepressionAnxietyPsychiatricBackCervicalTinnitusHipHeadacheEye
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
PTSDDepressionAnxietyPsychiatricBackCervicalTinnitusHip
Why It Was Decided This Way
The Veteran's headache disorder did not have its onset in, and is not related to, her service.
The Veteran's tinnitus disorder did not have its onset in, and is not related to, her service.
VA has a heightened duty to assist the Veteran in developing his claim when service treatment records are missing.
A grant for service connection for a disability requires: (1) a present disability or persistent or recurrent symptoms of a disability; (2) an in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury; and (3) a causal relationship ("nexus") between the present disability and the in-service event, injury, or disease.
Competency of evidence differs from weight and credibility.
Competency is a legal concept determining whether testimony may be heard and considered by the trier of fact, while credibility is a factual determination going to the probative value of the evidence to be made after the evidence has been admitted.
When there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding any issue material to the determination of a matter, the VA shall give the benefit of the doubt to the claimant.
In terms of a relationship between the Veteran's in-service event and her current diagnosis, a December 2022 examiner noted opined that the Veteran's psychiatric disability is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease, including the Veteran's reported near-drowning incident in service.
Authorities Cited
Regulations Cited (38 CFR / 38 USC)
Denial Type
Credibility|No Nexus|Duty To Assist
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