PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are rated at 70 percent, but the Board denied a higher rating as her symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating. The Veteran is also in receipt of SMC based on housebound status.

The Board has dismissed all issues of appeal as the Veteran withdrew his appeals before the decision was made.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for his service-connected PTSD with alcohol abuse disorder was denied. The VA determined that the symptoms did not more nearly approximate total and social occupational impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with other service-connected conditions, requires a TDIU from November 1, 2019. The Board has remanded the issue due to conflicting evidence regarding her ability to work.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 30 percent rating, and service connection for migraine headaches is granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, skin condition (claimed as rash), and irritable bowel syndrome are denied.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70 percent to 50 percent, but the reduction was improper. The 70 percent rating is restored effective April 1, 2020.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have approximated those described by the 70 percent rating, resulting in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. An effective date of March 24, 2015, for the grant of a 70 percent evaluation for service-connected PTSD is granted.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for effective dates prior to specific rating decisions related to anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and PTSD.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for GERD as secondary to PTSD should be remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise, finding a relationship between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), thus granting service connection for OSA as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in duty to assist and because the appeal is about service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The AOJ needs to obtain private mental health records from TriCare and complete a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% for the entire rating period prior to July 28, 2023.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition to include PTSD and a bilateral foot condition due to potential errors in the decision-making process.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The issues of entitlement to service connection for anxiety, bipolar disorder with depression, schizoaffective disorder, and degenerative disc disease are remanded.

The Veteran's pending claims for recognition as a substitute claimant and service connection for his psychiatric disorder were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have any pending claims at the time of his death, thus denying substitution.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, which the Board found to be a principal cause of death. Therefore, DIC benefits are granted for the cause of death. The appeal for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder and PTSD have been granted service connection. The schizoaffective disorder is presumed to have preexisted service, but the presumption has not been rebutted. The PTSD is found to be related to military sexual trauma (MST).

The Veteran's claim for educational assistance benefits at the maximum rate (100%) is granted due to his service-connected disability. The overpayment of educational assistance benefits will be remanded for further clarification and rectification.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error regarding verification of an in-service stressor and for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed psychiatric disability.

The reduction of the 70% rating for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder to a 50% rating was improper and is void ab initio. The restoration of the 70% rating is granted.,The reduction of the 20% rating for the Veteran's back disability to a 10% rating from September 1, 2020 to June 11, 2021 was also improper and is void ab initio. The restoration of the 20% rating is granted.