PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and prostate cancer, as well as SMC at the housebound rate and TDIU were denied. The appellant is not entitled to accrued benefits or substitution due to the absence of pending claims at the time of the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD with somatic symptom disorder and/or hypertension, but requires further medical examination for a definitive opinion.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has not been submitted to warrant readjudication of the claim for service connection for sinusitis. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder was denied as the evidence did not show continuous pursuit of his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD rating was restored to 70 percent effective from September 1, 2021.

The appeal to reduce the Veteran's PTSD with depression from a 100% rating to a 70% rating effective September 1, 2021 is dismissed due to procedural defects.

The Veteran's claim for PCAFC benefits was remanded due to inadequate notice and reasoning in the original decision. The Board found that the VA Caregiver evaluation assessment did not clearly address the Veteran's current conditions, particularly his neurocognitive disorders, pain, loss of use, weakness, dizziness, and vertigo, which affect his need for personal care services.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with a new VA examination.

The Veteran is granted TDIU from December 8, 2020 and SMC at the housebound rate from June 24, 2021 due to his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received for the claims of service connection for bilateral eye surgery cataract left and right eye, acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD, and a lower back disability. These claims are being remanded for further adjudication.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were granted with an effective date of March 28, 2013. The Board found that this is the earliest possible date for service connection due to PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of PTSD has been denied, and the case is remanded to consider his claim for TDIU. The Board notes that information regarding the Veteran's employment history is needed prior to adjudicating the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his service and the Board has granted service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinion provided are incomplete, and thus remanded for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of any psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Depressive Disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of March 6, 2015, for a 70 percent rating for his psychiatric disability. The Board found that it was not factually ascertainable that there had been an increase in severity during the one-year lookback period.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD with agoraphobia and panic disorder is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with agoraphobia and panic disorder is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his PTSD with agoraphobia and panic disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms were found to have approximated total occupational and social impairment from June 15, 2020. The Board granted an earlier effective date of June 15, 2020 for a one hundred percent rating of PTSD. The claim of service connection for left shoulder disability is remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of relevant evidence.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge from service is not a bar to VA benefits, but the AOJ must obtain medical opinions regarding the appellant's mental state at the time of misconduct and whether he exhibited prolonged deviation or interference with society. The AOJ should also consider the recent change in law regarding consideration of an appellant's mental or cognitive impairment at the time of the in-service misconduct.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD, finding that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between his current symptoms and an in-service stressor.