PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding proposed reductions in ratings for PTSD and TBI as the Veteran's NOD was submitted prematurely.

The Veteran's PTSD with substance abuse disorder is rated at 70% prior to February 26, 2021. The effective date for the DEA award was denied earlier than August 2, 2018.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, with the diagnosis based on a private medical opinion and supported by his military history.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further evaluation and consideration of evidence.,The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable disability rating for his left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for eligibility for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant are being remanded due to the retroactive award of service connection for recurrent lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy.

The Veteran's asthma has been granted service connection due to presumed exposure to fine particulate matter during his service in the Gulf War. The Veteran's tinnitus was denied as not shown in service or within one year of discharge, and not otherwise etiologically related.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to a lack of an examination. Service connection for a psychiatric disability (to include PTSD, Anxiety) and erectile dysfunction are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue regarding an increased rating for PTSD has been dismissed because he did not file a properly completed VA Form 10182 addressing this specific issue.

The Veteran is granted TDIU prior to July 3, 2019 due to service-connected disabilities. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as the symptoms are contemplated by the current rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating of 70 percent or above.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent evaluation of PTSD is dismissed as moot because the Board has already granted this in a previous decision.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 50 percent prior to October 26, 2017, and greater than 70 percent thereafter for PTSD was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and headaches, but dismissed the appeals related to other conditions.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for PTSD to obtain an adequate VA examination and medical opinion, as the previous one was found inadequate due to addressing only two out of six stressors and misinterpreting delayed onset PTSD symptoms.

The appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent from February 25, 2013, and in excess of 70 percent from May 19, 2017, for PTSD with insomnia disorder, major depressive disorder, and dyssomnia not otherwise specified was denied. The appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for eczematous dermatitis with seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, eczema, and folliculitis for the time period prior to July 12, 2023, and for an increased evaluation of left knee ACL rupture status post repair was remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD was denied. The Board also addressed the issues of TDIU, DEA benefits, and SMC based on housebound criteria.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for memory loss due to its finding that it is a manifestation of his already service-connected PTSD and MDD.,The Board has remanded the claims for gastrointestinal disorder (to include diverticulitis and GERD) and hiatal hernia, as there are inconsistencies in the medical opinions provided.

The Veteran's dementia was granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The appeal for a higher rate of SMC is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at a 30 percent since September 12, 2016. The Board granted an increased rating to 70 percent effective August 14, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) was granted effective March 9, 2020. The effective date is based on the date VA received the incomplete application for benefits.