PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran's home modifications and equipment purchases are necessary to enable him to function more independently in his family and community without assistance, or with a reduced level of assistance.,However, additional equipment purchases and/or home modifications, such as an overhead cover for a wheelchair lift at the front of the home, a cover over the front walk, installation of a central air conditioning system, an addition to the home to include installation of a new bathroom downstairs, extension of the rear of the main bedroom to create space for a walk-in closet and a work-out room on the floor below; and creating access to an existing outdoor kitchen located near the pool area, are not necessary.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not necessitate these additional modifications.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective January 15, 2015 due to her service-connected Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, Insomnia, and Residuals of Prostate Cancer was denied. The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for Generalized Anxiety Disorder is also denied.,Service connection for PTSD was not granted due to the lack of a current DSM-5 diagnosis.

The Board granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD, resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board granted an effective date of November 19, 2012 for the award of service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's application for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant was denied as he does not have any service-connected disability that meets the criteria for such benefits.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as the effective date cannot be earlier than October 1, 2018 due to lack of evidence showing a protected work environment or inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that a remand is required to verify the Veteran's in-service stressor of military sexual trauma (MST) and determine whether it occurred during active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of evidence supporting the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is shown to have precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and an effective date of April 30, 2019 for special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114 (s)(1) is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot issue a decision as he died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of a current diagnosis, but granted service connection for 'other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder' with anxiety based on an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD with major depressive disorder and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA examination records and private treatment records.

For the period on appeal prior to April 7, 2021, the Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent disability rating.,Service connection for left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy were also granted as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board dismissed the duplicative appeals for evaluation and service connection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with mycotic lung disease, to include emphysema; obstructive sleep apnea; posttraumatic stress disorder; chronic kidney disease; and tinnitus.

The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for the service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder, effective January 3, 2019.

The Veteran's thoracic spine facet syndrome is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent and granted an initial 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board granted a 100 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability and restored ratings for right knee instability and limitation of extension, while denying compensable ratings for right knee scarring, inguinal hernia, and inguinal hernia scarring. The Veteran was also awarded special monthly compensation.