PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, and his claim for TDIU was granted. The decision is based on the severity of his symptoms related to PTSD and the impact it had on his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is denied. The Board has also identified a need to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the presence and etiology of any psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and schizophrenia, was granted with an effective date of August 17, 1987. The Board also remanded the issue of earlier eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.,An earlier effective date of May 19, 2011, is sought for basic eligibility to DEA benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD and lumbar spine disability were granted initial ratings of 70 percent and 40 percent, respectively, effective from May 10, 2019, and March 8, 2019. The decision also noted that the Veteran had previously requested a higher level review on September 1, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, was granted with an effective date of August 29, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating greater than 70 percent for their acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes mood disorder (also claimed as PTSD, depression, anxiety, sleep disorder, and anger), has been dismissed. The November 2020 Board decision implemented the increased rating of 70 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an error in notifying the Veteran of his right to a hearing before the RO, which was during a period where VA had a duty to assist in substantiating his claim.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on two conditions (recurrent dislocation of the right shoulder and PTSD) has been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder was rated at 70% effective September 29, 2021. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms were severe enough to warrant a 70% rating one year prior to his claim for increase.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including a major depressive disorder, finding that there was no evidence of such condition during or within one year after service and that it is not related to service.

The Veteran's initial 70 percent rating for PTSD and MDD is granted, along with service connection for migraine headaches. The Veteran also receives a TDIU due to his psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for PTSD, and the Board dismissed it.

The Board has reversed the severance of service connection for PTSD, but there is no case or controversy left to address.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is in need of personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months due to PTSD, and this finding supports eligibility for PCAFC benefits. The AOJ must now determine if participation in the program is in the Veteran's best interest and provide proper notice as required by law.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to insufficient medical opinion regarding causation and aggravation.

The Board denied eligibility for direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a July 2022 Rating Decision, as the claim was not an appeal of a prior decision but rather an initial claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. The Board denied an increased disability rating for PTSD prior to July 13, 2024.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of November 29, 2018 for the Veteran's 100% evaluation for service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of April 28, 2000, the day he filed his initial claim. The Board found that the military personnel records associated on January 5, 2009, provided evidence of a stressor related to in-service fear of hostile or terrorist activity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and cardiovascular disease are not at least as likely as not due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with opioid use disorder, necessitating further examination and review.