PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that the weight gain caused by PTSD led to the development of obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection is denied as there was no prior formal or informal claim filed before March 12, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence after a previous denial.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of September 29, 2016, for individual unemployability as he was employed and engaged in substantially gainful occupation at that time.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, right knee disability, left knee disability, and psychiatric disability (including depression and PTSD) due to a duty-to-assist error regarding private treatment records. The Veteran is requested to provide authorization for VA to obtain these records.

The Veteran's claim for beneficiary travel expenses associated with a non-VA medical appointment on October 28, 2022 was granted because the evidence showed he had attended his appointment and met the basic eligibility criteria for VA beneficiary travel benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus. The Veteran served in an environment with exposure to hazardous noise from jet engines.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus and service connection for diabetes, headache disorder, sleep apnea, GERD, and PTSD has been dismissed.,Service connection claims for headache disorder, sleep apnea, and PTSD have also been dismissed.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of January 29, 2003 for the grant of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since at least January 29, 2003.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all issues appealed.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, resulting in a net award of $18,342.78 to the Veteran. The appellant is eligible for direct payment of attorney fees based on this amount.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The AOJ needs to obtain a VA examination to clarify whether his service-connected disabilities cause him to require the need for regular aid and attendance of another.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed because his service-connected PTSD has been rated at 100% since March 26, 2021. As he does not have any additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60%, TDIU was mooted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have caused or contributed substantially to his death from smoking-related COPD and lung cancer, which occurred in September 2022.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in notifying the Veteran of evidence from sources other than service records and for failing to schedule an examination for PTSD. The claim will be reconsidered with these issues addressed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and psychiatric disability was granted with an effective date of May 29, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of various disabilities, including hearing loss, psychiatric conditions, sleep apnea, GERD, ulcers, prostate issues, hyperlipidemia, neck, back, ankle, elbow, eye glaucoma, foot, hip, shoulder, wrist, and knee disabilities are being remanded due to incomplete records and need for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, arthritis of the lumbar spine, and various hip and knee conditions, have rendered him unable to perform daily activities without assistance. The Board has determined that he requires regular aid and attendance due to these disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for a TDIU and eligibility for DEA under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 have been granted effective from February 27, 2012. The Board has dismissed the appeal as there are no longer any pending issues or controversies.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD with TBI and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records, employment history, and completion of VA forms.