PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has granted an effective date of October 5, 2020 for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected heart condition and PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, which grants an increased rating. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is moot due to the assignment of a 100% permanent and total schedular rating for PTSD. The appeal for earlier DEA benefits effective date is denied as he does not meet the criteria for eligibility prior to December 17, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as his timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) was not filed within one year from the May 2018 rating decision, which resulted in a denial for increased PTSD and service connection for right foot pain, sinus nasal congestion, tinnitus, and GERD.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, which reflects severe anxiety and depression resulting in occupational and social impairment. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The claims for PTSD, sleep apnea, TBI, right foot disability, left foot disability, onychomycosis of the right great toe, tinea unguium of the left great toe and ingrown toenail of the left hallux, dental disability for compensation purposes, and vitamin D deficiency are denied as not service-connected.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since June 19, 2019. Effective from that date, the Veteran is granted TDIU and DEA benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The Board found that the symptoms more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered her unable to secure or maintain gainful employment, and the Board grants a TDIU based on this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds no evidence to support a higher rating.,Service connection for CAD was denied as there is no credible evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran will need to undergo further examination and obtain an adequate etiological opinion.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various psychiatric and physical conditions, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood, PTSD, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, irritable bowel syndrome, systolic heart murmur, dermatitis (claimed as dermatosis), fibromyalgia, respiratory disability, and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD, angioedema, and depression and anxiety due to a lack of medical evidence addressing their etiology.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety Disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has dismissed the claim for TDIU prior to January 31, 2019 due to maximization of compensation. The case is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence regarding in-service stressors for PTSD and because the Veteran was homeless at the time of the January 2019 letter requesting information about his stressors.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD is granted, and the effective date is set to May 26, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 3, 2012. A total disability rating for compensation due to service-connected disabilities on an extraschedular basis is granted as of November 3, 2017.

The Veteran's appeals for PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder were dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is no persuasive evidence showing the Veteran had PTSD since filing his claim or within close proximity to it.