BVA Case 24000293: PTSD
BVAReal Board of Veterans' Appeals decision · January 3, 2024 · Vito A. Clementi
Conditions Claimed
PTSDDepressionAnxietyPsychiatricBackCervicalKneeHipAnkleArthritis
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
PTSDDepressionAnxietyPsychiatricBackCervicalKneeHip
Why It Was Decided This Way
The Board will grant the Veteran the benefit of the doubt, and grant service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed, pursuant to Clemons v.
In deciding an appeal, the Board must analyze the credibility and probative value of the evidence, account for the evidence which it finds to be persuasive or unpersuasive and provide the reasons for its rejection of any material evidence favorable to the claimant.
Further, competency of evidence differs from the weight and credibility of evidence.
Competency is a legal concept that determines whether testimony may be heard and considered by the trier of fact, while credibility is a factual determination regarding 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.
The examiner provided a negative nexus opinion, stating that the Veteran was treated for a back strain in-service, but there is no objective evidence of a chronic low back condition in-service.
In a December 2022 VA medical opinion, the examiner provided a negative nexus opinion, stating that the Veteran's 1992, 2007, and 2008 in-service trapezius strain and low back strain diagnoses were acute only.
In reaching this conclusion, the Board has considered the applicability of the benefit of the doubt doctrine.
Authorities Cited
Regulations Cited (38 CFR / 38 USC)
Denial Type
Credibility|No Nexus
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