PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to October 1, 2019 for the 100 percent evaluation of his psychiatric disability (PTSD and MDD) is dismissed as it was not filed within one year of notification.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to September 21, 2020. From September 21, 2020, the Veteran received a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.,A finding of Total Disability due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) was granted effective from September 21, 2020.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for dependency benefits and a higher rating for PTSD, stating that no exceptions to the legal provisions governing effective dates apply.

The Veteran's PTSD, to include schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder, is rated at 100 percent prior to December 21, 2012. From December 21, 2012, the rating is 70 percent. The Veteran also received a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of PTSD with insomnia, and the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU for the period beginning on September 1, 2020. The claim for a TDIU prior to September 1, 2020 was dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms. The evidence does not support a higher rating as he does not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is a result of his in-service stressor and grants service connection for this condition.

The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and PTSD is dismissed. The claims of service connection for GERD and migraine headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating from December 11, 2018. She also received TDIU and SMC based on the housebound rate.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound is remanded. The service connection issue remains unresolved as the appeal does not involve a determination of service connection.

The Veteran's request to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is granted, and the issue is remanded for further adjudication.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, PTSD, and psychotic disorder due to deficiencies in the medical opinions provided by the VA examiner.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for PTSD or Major Depressive Disorder, and denied service connection for conjunctivitis, diabetes mellitus type II, anemia, COPD, diverticulosis, hemorrhoids, prostatitis, and ulcerative colitis.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and posttraumatic stress disorder, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's unauthorized private medical expenses incurred from September 5, 2019, to September 6, 2019, are granted as the treatment was emergent and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100% initial disability rating from December 20, 2010. SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) was granted for the period March 31, 2011 to April 17, 2014 and June 2, 2014. The TDIU appeal is moot for the periods from March 31, 2011 to April 17, 2014 and June 2, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD secondary to MST and MDD, is granted. The claim for a low back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of 70 percent for his psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is granted. The effective date for this grant is set at November 30, 2018, the date VA received the Veteran's Intent to File.