BVA Case 24032573: PTSD
BVAReal Board of Veterans' Appeals decision · November 1, 2024 · Vito A. Clementi
Conditions Claimed
PTSDDepressionAnxietyPsychiatricBackTinnitusHipHeadacheSkinEye
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
PTSDDepressionAnxietyPsychiatricBackTinnitusHipHeadache
Why It Was Decided This Way
The Board must analyze the competency and credibility 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 favorable to the claimant.
Credibility is a factual determination - it involves deciding whether the testimony or other evidence is believable, and the determination is made after the evidence has been found competent.
When there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding the merits of an issue material to the determination of the matter, the benefit of the doubt in resolving each such issue shall be given to the claimant.
Thus, the general statement that firefighters were at a higher risk for developing Parkinson's Disease based on firefighting toxin exposure during service is not an adequate nexus status to support service connection because it is conclusory and not specifically referring to the Veteran.
However, while the Veteran attempted to establish a nexus through his own lay assertions, the Veteran was not competent to offer opinions as to the diagnosis and cause of his disability.
) Thus, the Veteran was not competent to provide such a nexus opinion and his attempts to present lay assertions to establish a nexus are given no probative weight.
314 (1998) (If treatise evidence is too uncertain to establish a causal nexus, and is unaccompanied by a medical opinion, it may be rejected.
The evidence is not in approximate balance and therefore the benefit of the doubt rule does not apply.
Authorities Cited
Regulations Cited (38 CFR / 38 USC)
Denial Type
Credibility|No Nexus
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