CAVC Case 24-0265: PTSD
CAVCReal U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) decision · 2025-05-14 · PIETSCH, 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
PTSDDepressionAnxietyPsychiatricHeartDiabetesTDIURadiculopathyErectile DysfunctionHypertension
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Issues on Appeal
Service ConnectionEffective DateTDIUIncreased RatingPTSD
Why It Was Decided This Way
In a September 2015 male-reproductive-system examination,the examiner found no current disability.
December 2019 Board Decision;Appeal,and Remand;and April and August 2020 Examinations In a December 2019 decision,the Board denied service connection for a bladder disorder and remanded the matters of an initial rating higher than 30%for PTSD, service connection for ED,and entitlement to TDIU.
PTSD In the September 2023 decision on appeal, the Board denied an initial rating higher than 30%for PTSD,finding that the veteran's symptoms did not result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, deficiencies in most areas, or total occupational and social impairment.
The Board found that the four VA examinations were the most probative evidence of record,consistently showing that the veteran's disability produced depressed mood,anxiety,mild memory loss,suspiciousness,chronic sleep impairment,and panic attacks occurring weekly or less often.
The Board found that these symptoms were fully contemplated by the veteran's current 30% PTSD rating.
But the Board found this evidence less probative than the VA examinations and inconsistent with the veteran's treatment records and September 2018 hearing testimony.
The Board found the private evaluations less probative because they failed to address that during VA examinations the veteran attributed his lack of employment and inability to do household chores to his physical ailments.
ED The Board denied service connection for ED,finding no current disability.
Authorities Cited
Denial Type
Non Denial Outcome
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