PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as PTSD and anxiety, and tinnitus was dismissed due to a late filing of the VA Form 10182.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, specifically being at sea during a severe storm. As such, the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that the VA examination was inadequate and another remand is necessary to address the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, effective from March 20, 2009. Additionally, the Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot because his service-connected PTSD alone already grants a 100% disability rating, and he does not have any additional disabilities rated at 60% or more. Additionally, the evidence shows no indication of substantial confinement to his dwelling due to his disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is at least as likely as not related to his in-service stressor.

The Veteran's appeals for PTSD, tinnitus, lumbar strain, sleep apnea, cervical strain, upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, adjustment disorder, and a left elbow scar were dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals. The claims for increased ratings of bilateral cubital tunnel syndrome are denied as the Veteran failed to attend scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to March 13, 2014 resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. However, the evidence does not support a higher rating of 100% due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment for the entire period on appeal, warranting a 100 percent rating.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received warranting readjudication of the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded to provide a VA examination.

The Board denied a separate compensable evaluation for bruxism, finding that it is a symptom of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and not a distinct disability warranting its own rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of her service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and psychotic features is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The AOJ must attempt to obtain private treatment records from the Veteran's weekly individual psychotherapy sessions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current other-specified trauma related disorder, claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder, is at least as likely as not related to his military service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder is granted a 100% rating for the entire appeal period, effective from February 5, 2019. The initial evaluation for tinnitus remains at 10%, but an earlier effective date for TDIU benefits and Dependents' Education Assistance (DEA) is granted.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's OSA is related to his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for OSA secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorder, was granted a 70 percent disability rating prior to December 17, 2019. A higher than 70 percent rating is denied since that date. The Veteran also received a TDIU from August 8, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD has been denied. The Board has also found that the Veteran's GERD is not service-connected, and this issue must be remanded to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The AOJ is required to verify the nature of the Veteran's National Guard service at the time of his reported stressors and attempt to research both claimed incidents.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with a 50% disability rating effective October 17, 2018. The decision is based on the merits of his case and not due to any new evidence or a change in law.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is denied as the VA did not receive a claim prior to December 2012, and entitlement arose before that time.