PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's PTSD rating was increased to 70 percent, effective March 18, 2022. The reduction from 50 percent to 30 percent in July 2024 was found improper and restored.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his service-connected mental disability and for Special Monthly Compensation based on the need for aid and attendance has been denied. The Veteran's condition is currently rated at 70 percent, effective July 12, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD based on personal trauma is denied, and the claim for an acquired psychiatric condition to include generalized anxiety disorder with alcohol use disorder is remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal as to an earlier effective date for a TDIU rating from July 2020, finding that the AOJ had already granted the Veteran's claim with an effective date of August 18, 2017.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The evidence does not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas or total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to address the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive, anxiety disorder, and PTSD have resulted in an overall disability picture that more nearly approximates occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas since November 10, 2014. An effective date of October 3, 2019, for the award of a 70 percent rating is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to unclear information about the Veteran's employment history and SSA records.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues related to PTSD, chronic sinusitis, intervertebral disc syndrome and lumbar sacral degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the sciatic nerves in both lower extremities, and GERD. The appeal is dismissed as a result.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and will consider new evidence in determining if service connection for PTSD can be granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of PTSD prior to November 21, 2022 was granted. The effective date remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claim of a compensable rating for the Veteran's traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to the need for an examination and consideration of whether symptoms are attributable to TBI versus PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed as his July 2022 VA Form 10182 was untimely and no basis for waiver of the relevant claims processing rules has been shown.

The Veteran's remains were transported to the VA Medical Center for an autopsy due to his medical history and consent was provided by his spouse. The Board found that reimbursement for transportation costs is warranted based on applicable regulations.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding an increased rating for PTSD and an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with comorbid unspecified depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and TBI is rated at a 70 percent disability rating from June 19, 2018 to September 3, 2019. The appeal for higher ratings was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including failing to obtain VA and private treatment records for the Veteran's psychiatric conditions.

The Board found that the attorney is eligible for fees based on past-due benefits awarded in an August 2020 rating decision, which granted service connection and increased ratings for bilateral ankle disabilities and PTSD. The Veteran's appeal to deny the attorney's eligibility was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective May 19, 2013. The Board also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the same period.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied, and his TDIU claim is granted.