PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors and insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for PTSD. The VA will need to obtain additional records, including from JSRRC, VA treatment centers, and private hospitals, as well as conduct a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in the initial decision and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The symptoms were found to be consistent with a 70 percent disability rating.

An effective date of October 19, 2018, is granted for the grant of service connection and assignment of an initial 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease (CAD).,An effective date of October 19, 2018, is granted for the grant of service connection and assignment of an initial 10 percent rating for hypertension.,An earlier effective date prior to September 28, 2021, is denied for the assignment of a 50 percent rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial disability rating of 70 percent for his psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD with depressive disorder and cannabis use disorder, was granted. The criteria for a 70 percent disability rating were met based on the severity of symptoms such as depression, anxiety, hypervigilance, paranoia, panic attacks, chronic sleep impairment, impaired impulse control, anger, and suicidal ideation.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of whether the remaining overpayment of $19,398.22 was properly recouped from the retroactive award of VA compensation benefits for a Higher-Level Review (HLR).

The Board has remanded the claims for an earlier effective date for a PTSD evaluation and TDIU due to errors in obtaining relevant medical records and information about the Veteran's employment.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an earlier effective date of August 13, 2019.,A 10 percent rating for left chest gunshot wound residuals is granted from December 29, 2020.,Service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted from December 29, 2020.,PTSD rated at 70% effective August 13, 2019, until January 24, 2021, and 100% thereafter.,Individual unemployability is granted as of August 13, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD is granted, and the issue of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD, MDD, and GAD.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD and right second metacarpal fracture (claimed as arthritis, right hand) were both denied increased ratings. The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent since April 13, 2016, while his right second metacarpal fracture was rated at 10 percent since the same date.

Service connection for excessive body hair of the face, neck, chest, stomach, and feet has been granted.,An effective date earlier than February 19, 2020, for service-connected cracked tooth has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 15, 2020, for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 15, 2020, for TBI is denied.,Service connection for asthma including as due to undiagnosed illness remains pending and requires further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of GERD with nausea was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7346. The Veteran's claims for service connection for memory loss and unspecified mood disorder (claimed as PTSD and somatic symptom disorder) are remanded due to inadequate development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need to consider additional medical records from his Social Security Administration (SSA). The Board cannot proceed without these records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of December 14, 2019, for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the evidence shows occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas since December 14, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to July 1, 2020, and a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD for the entire period on appeal. The Board also denied an effective date earlier than July 1, 2020, for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to February 23, 2024 for SMC at the housebound rate is not warranted due to the Veteran's final claims and subsequent rating decisions. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran needs regular aid and attendance based solely on service-connected disabilities.