PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The reduction in rating for PTSD from 70% to 50% was upheld, and the appeal for a higher rating prior to January 1, 2022, is denied.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's OSA is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and deviated nasal septum, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to May 26, 2020. Since then, the rating has been increased to 70 percent effective May 26, 2021.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for cause of death. The Appellant contends that her husband's death was caused by his mental state, specifically PTSD.

The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death, and no effective date prior to October 31, 2017, will be granted for PTSD, TDIU, or DEA.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 100% disabling from July 28, 2019. The Board found that the earliest effective date for a 100% rating was May 1, 2019, when the Veteran was fired from his job due to PTSD.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected conditions do not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's headaches and PTSD were rated at 50% and 70%, respectively, effective August 19, 2019. The Veteran is seeking earlier effective dates for these ratings.,The Veteran was granted service connection for sciatica in the right lower extremity effective August 19, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for his right knee dislocated semilunar cartilage was dismissed as the AOJ implemented the Board's decision.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to July 30, 2008 was denied due to lack of evidence showing entitlement to such benefits.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was denied an increased rating as the Board found that the Veteran failed to report for a scheduled examination without good cause.,The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and insomnia was also denied an increased rating, as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% rating.

The Veteran's request for an extension of his delimiting date to utilize his Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits was granted due to medical infeasibility caused by mental and physical disabilities, including PTSD and TBI. The extension is subject to laws governing the payment of monetary benefits.

The Board has remanded all issues on appeal due to the need for additional verification of the Veteran's service periods and incomplete records. The claims will be reconsidered with this information.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since August 12, 2019. The Board granted a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD but remanded the issue of service connection for OSA as secondary to PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to June 9, 2023. The evidence did not show that his service-connected conditions precluded him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is appropriate based on his symptoms not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and unspecified trauma-and stressor-related disorder, are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. The appeal for these claims is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is linked to his military sexual trauma (MST) during service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for PTSD due to MST.

The Board has denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to lack of medical evidence connecting GERD to the Veteran's head injury, which is what is necessary to grant such a claim. The effective date remains at April 25, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and remanded several issues, including those related to cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease, GERD, and tinnitus. The Veteran was granted a total rating based upon individual unemployability from January 10, 2020.