PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional development of the record.,The Board is unable to determine an appropriate effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD as it was not established until after August 24, 2005.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of November 5, 2020 for the grant of a higher rating for PTSD is granted.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Board has determined that the VA did not make reasonable efforts to obtain treatment records from a therapist named S.C. and has therefore remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, with a 50% rating effective from May 11, 2021, the date VA received his supplemental claim in the Appeals Modernization (AMA) appeal system.

The Board has remanded the claims for posttraumatic stress disorder, diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to outstanding evidence from the USPS Office of Inspector General (OIG) related to a compensation benefits fraud investigation conducted in 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, specifically his medication for treatment of PTSD, is found to have contributed materially to his death. The Board concludes the evidence is in approximate balance with respect to whether the PTSD medication caused his death.

The Board remands the appeal for additional development, specifically to obtain state medical records and a VA opinion on the severity of the service-connected PTSD.

The Board granted an initial rating of 100 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is remanded due to incomplete records requests.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was raised in the context of his initial increased rating claim for lumbosacral strain. The Board found that he did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU as set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) prior to July 23, 2019. However, on remand, his claim should be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration for a TDIU.

The Board remands the claims for an initial higher rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and a TDIU due to errors in the duty to assist and the consideration of translated records.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board granted reconsideration of the service connection claim for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to new and relevant evidence but ultimately denied service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion. The examiner must address whether the PTSD preexisted service, was aggravated by service, or had its onset in service.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) secondary to the Veteran's service-connected amnestic disorder with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and earlier effective date for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, with the exception of his suicidal ideation which is compensated in the current 70 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error in the previous examinations, and additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities are related to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD and OSA have been rated at 70% since May 4, 2020. The Board has granted a TDIU beginning June 15, 2016.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and major depressive disorder as the Veteran's symptoms did not more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas or total occupational and social impairment.