PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded both claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and erectile dysfunction due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors, including failing to verify the Veteran's claimed stressor, obtain SSA records, and provide adequate opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and attributed his psychiatric symptoms to persistent depressive disorder, which is already service-connected. For persistent depressive disorder, the Veteran received a rating of 50% based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of her service-connected PTSD was denied.,The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 50 percent rating for PTSD was also denied.,The Veteran's application for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected PTSD was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and failure to substantially comply with prior directives. The Veteran's complete Social Security Administration (SSA) records are needed, as well as efforts to corroborate her in-service stressors related to personal assault. An addendum medical opinion is also required.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to service-connected disabilities prior to December 2, 2019, and from February 1, 2021, is denied as he did not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of April 9, 2020, as the increase in his PTSD symptoms made it impossible for him to maintain full-time employment.

The Board granted an effective date of June 4, 2009, for a 20 percent rating for left rotator cuff strain and impingement when not temporarily totally disabled, a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress and major depressive disorder, and a 20 percent rating for right ankle lateral instability. The claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and a medical opinion regarding service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with depressive disorder and anxious distress, finding that the Veteran's symptoms most closely approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to October 27, 2021 for a TDIU was denied as the evidence did not show he had been unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to that date.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD with other specified depressive disorder and bipolar I disorder is denied. The decision was final as the Veteran did not appeal or submit new evidence within the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, asthma with sleep apnea, chronic kidney disease, and various musculoskeletal conditions, render him unable to perform daily activities without regular aid and attendance. The Board has determined that the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance have been met.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating of 70 percent due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The rating for PTSD remains at 50 percent.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, diagnosed as Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, is rated at 70 percent effective October 6, 2020. The TDIU and SMC benefits are also granted.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for his TDIU and DEA benefits. The Board finds that referral to the Director of Compensation Service is required due to a reasonable possibility of unemployability prior to April 28, 2016.

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date of May 26, 2015, but no earlier, is warranted for the grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claim was reopened and granted on this basis.

The Board has determined that new evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of a deviated septum, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and depression due to procedural errors in the initial rating decision. The Veteran is seeking service connection based on military sexual trauma (MST).

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of PTSD was granted, and he is now in receipt of a 70 percent disability rating effective October 29, 2019.