CAVC Case 24-2039: PTSD
CAVCReal U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) decision · 2025-05-07 · GREENBERG, 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
PTSDDepressionAnxietyPsychiatricDiabetesTDIUErectile DysfunctionProstate
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Issues on Appeal
Service ConnectionEffective DateTDIUIncreased RatingPTSD
Why It Was Decided This Way
The Secretary concedes the Board erred in denying a TDIU.
at 5-15,the Board found that the appellant's PTSD with depressive disorder was manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from May 29,2018,and before that date,the disorder was manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.
The Board found that the medical records showed that from May 29,2018,the appellant was alert and oriented,with good grooming 6 Case:24-2039 Page: 7 of 14 Filed:05/07/2025 and hygiene,intact and organized thoughts,and normal speech, and without suicidal or homicidal ideations,delusions,paranoia,or psychotic symptoms.
The Board conceded that the appellant reported occurrences of irritation,frustration,isolation (outside of his family and girlfriend),and nightmares, but the Board found that the appellant reported increased mental health benefits from interacting with his granddaughters.
The Board also acknowledged that the appellant was more depressed after his prostate surgery,but the Board found that his walking routine and search for meaningful activities helped decrease the depression.
The Board found that the appellant reported that he was pursuing multiple hobbies.
The Board noted that the June 2018 examiner noted moderate PTSD symptoms,including nightmares, intrusive thoughts of combat,irritability,hypervigilance, depressed mood,anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, difficulty establishing and maintaining relationships,and suicidal ideation, causing occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.
The Board determined that the appellant's PTSD with depressive disorder manifested in symptoms more closely approximating a 50%rating;though the Board acknowledged the appellant's history of suicidal thoughts, the Board found that the records contain a low frequency and low level of severity of suicidal ideations.
Authorities Cited
Denial Type
Non Denial Outcome
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