PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Board has restored the Veteran's PTSD rating from 50 percent to 70 percent. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending, and TDIU is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD, alcohol abuse disorder, and major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress. The case is being remanded to provide notice regarding the Veteran's claimed military sexual trauma (MST), complete additional development to verify stressors, and conduct a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to December 16, 2016, for major depressive disorder with anxious distress and PTSD is denied. The Veteran's claim for a rating of 70 percent from December 16, 2016, for major depressive disorder with anxious distress and PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating of 70% or 100%. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a total disability rating due to their severity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to June 22, 2015, for a 30 percent evaluation for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding no clear and unmistakable error in the August 2016 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal to reinstate a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD was dismissed because no adverse action had been taken on the proposed reduction.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for tension headaches and PTSD are denied as the evidence does not support an earlier effective date, and her current ratings are appropriate.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause an impairment in his ability to obtain, maintain, or retain suitable employment. The Board found that the Veteran had overcome any impairment of employability due to his service-connected disabilities and was therefore not entitled to VR&E services.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of January 17, 2017 for the grant of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) and entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, sleep disturbance, depression, anxiety, and memory loss due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder is being remanded due to a failure to obtain relevant private treatment records from CenterPointe hospital.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of service connection for PTSD was not properly processed due to incorrect notice of appellate rights. The matter is being remanded for proper application of the laws and regulations pertaining to accepting an AMA appeal after expiration of the time for an appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and TBI, finding that there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor or injury sufficient to support these diagnoses.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of entitlement to increased ratings for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a compensable initial rating for erectile dysfunction, and an earlier effective date for SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with an initial 70 percent rating, and service connection for sarcoidosis is also granted. The remaining issues of service connection for jaw disability, back disability, and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to incomplete records in the claims file. The appellant's VA treatment records contain references to private treatment providers whose records have not been associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a higher initial rating to 70 percent effective December 9, 2020. Service connection for left foot injury, upper lumbar spine/lower back disc degeneration, and cervical disc degeneration were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran was granted a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD, DEA eligibility under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35, and special monthly compensation based on statutory housebound criteria.