PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD has been denied. The Board also remanded several other issues, including service connection claims for various conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral lower extremity sciatic peripheral neuropathy, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss, prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizoaffective disorder (SAD), depressive type with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was denied in a final decision. The Veteran filed a supplemental claim to reopen his previously denied claim, and the AOJ granted service connection effective January 27, 2021. The Board found that an earlier effective date is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and sleep disturbances, is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence that tends to prove or disprove a matter at issue in regard to such claim. The VA examiner's opinion was inadequate as it did not address all current diagnoses and symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity is denied.,Service connection for restless leg syndrome of the left leg and right leg is denied.,Service connection for MGUS is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding exposure to radiation or other toxic exposures.,Service connection for chagas disease is remanded as there is insufficient verification of service in Guantanamo Bay.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional records from private providers, including a clarification on when Sertraline was first prescribed.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 70 percent since April 5, 2019. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and knee conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were granted effective March 29, 2021. The effective date for these decisions is based on the date of receipt of a formal claim or an informal claim that was interpreted as such.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100% rating from June 7, 2017. Eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance is also granted from that date. The reduction of the migraines rating to 30% was denied. Total disability based on individual unemployability remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of death and potential secondary service connection for herbicide-related disorders. The Veteran's cause of death is being reviewed, along with any possible secondary effects from his nonservice-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD was denied. Prior to August 20, 2021, the rating remained at 50 percent. From August 20, 2021, a higher rating of 70 percent was granted but not effective until December 2021.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to May 8, 2017, and his request for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to that date were both denied. The Board found the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's request for a higher level review of the October 2020 rating decision was untimely, and thus denied.

The appeal regarding the reduction of the Veteran's PTSD with TBI disability rating from 70% to 10% has been dismissed as moot due to the AOJ's decision to restore and continue the original 70% rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another individual, as they cause her to require assistance with feeding, preparing meals, dressing, grooming, toileting, managing medication, and attending to daily needs.

The Board has determined that there are errors in the rating decisions regarding increased ratings for various disabilities, and these issues must be remanded to allow for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error in the original rating decision, and a new medical opinion is needed to address the Veteran's claim for service connection of OSA secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU prior to September 4, 2019 was denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflected her disability picture.

The Veteran's heart disorder and PTSD are not granted in full, with the heart disorder denied outright and the PTSD partially granted but subject to exceptions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied for the period prior to August 10, 2022. For the period from August 10, 2022, his TDIU claim is granted due to service-connected disabilities.