PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable or unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation as of October 16, 2017. The Board granted an effective date of this date for his TDIU and basic eligibility for DEA benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension and PTSD. The VA needs to provide updated opinions addressing these issues.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, must be remanded due to insufficient evidence of in-service stressors and a need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to address the etiology of his TBI and to distinguish PTSD symptoms related to service from those related to a fall in 2014. The rating for PTSD prior to June 15, 2023 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to PTSD, as well as his claim of entitlement to a TDIU rating based solely on PTSD. The issues are being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for PTSD and an initial compensable rating for cluster headaches was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing records and incomplete information regarding authorization for non-VA medical services provided during Hurricane Michael evacuation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have contributed substantially or materially to his sudden cardiac death, which was the cause of his death. The Board has granted service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and a higher rating for his left shoulder impingement syndrome is being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with AUD is granted an increased rating of 50 percent, effective October 13, 2021. The claim for individual unemployability was denied.

The Veteran's dementia is being remanded for an additional medical opinion to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's right knee condition and left knee condition are both being remanded for additional medical opinions to determine their etiologies.

The appeal to get an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection is dismissed because the notice of disagreement was not signed by the Veteran or his representative with a proper power of attorney.

The Board has determined that the AOJ did not adequately schedule a VA PTSD Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) for the Veteran, which is necessary to properly evaluate his service-connected psychiatric disorder. As a result, the case is being remanded to allow for this examination.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the eligibility criteria for financial assistance in acquiring an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, as his disabilities do not result in loss of use of one or both feet.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent evaluation, but the issue of TDIU remains pending and requires further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence, which includes medical records from Greenleaf Behavioral Health Hospital and a VA examination. The stressor involving personal assault during basic training is considered credible supporting evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD and alcohol use disorder are currently rated at 70 percent, but the appeal is denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD and related conditions was granted with an effective date of May 23, 2019. An initial evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU is dismissed because the September 2011 rating decision became final, and there are no valid freestanding earlier effective date claims.