PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD due to military sexual assault and granted it, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support a nexus between the Veteran's current PTSD and his in-service MST. The Veteran also has been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of service connection in June 2013. The appeal for TDIU remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of August 31, 1992 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board determined that new and material evidence was added to the record within one year of the issuance of a previous rating decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 70 percent, effective from April 18, 2018. Additionally, the Veteran has been granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran had PTSD related to his service, which contributed to his death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for aid and attendance of another person, resulting in a grant of special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder were dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development and lack of evidence regarding his exposure to herbicide agents during service. The claims for diabetes, peripheral neuropathies, PTSD, and TDIU are all related and must be addressed together.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, prostate cancer residuals, and coronary artery disease, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to insufficient medical evidence of record. The Veteran's mental health diagnoses include PTSD, psychosis, and schizoaffective disorder, which may be related to service but need further examination to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent, as they were less severe and frequent than those required for a 100 percent rating. The Board found that his symptoms more closely approximated a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent since September 9, 2013. He also has additional service-connected disabilities independently rated at more than 60 percent, meeting the criteria for SMC at the house bound rate.

The Veteran's PTSD disability symptoms more nearly approximate the criteria for a 70 percent rating, and his service-connected psychiatric disability warrants a rating in excess of the 50 percent evaluation currently assigned.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is denied as she is already in receipt of the maximum award assignable for her service-connected disability (PTSD).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right index finger synovitis, lower back condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder) due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claims are not currently granted as there is no clear or competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for cataracts and PTSD, leading the Board to dismiss these claims.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD based on MST was granted, but his claim for Polysubstance abuse and addiction was denied. The effective date remains April 14, 2008.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, resolving the benefit of doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, as related to the Veteran's military sexual trauma (MST). The decision is based on credible evidence of the stressor incident.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder have been withdrawn. The appeal regarding service connection for dyspepsia is remanded due to the need for a VA medical examination.