PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70% evaluation. The appeal is granted for the entire period of review.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) under the housebound criteria was denied because he is not confined to his dwelling or immediate premises due to service-connected disabilities, and does not have a single disability rated as total and sufficient additional disability independently ratable at 60 percent or greater.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a 100 percent rating for acquired psychiatric disability, finding that it is not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's condition increased in severity within one year prior to November 14, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to September 6, 2015 and for TDIU prior to that date due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a 100 percent rating for acquired psychiatric disability, finding that it is not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's condition increased in severity within one year prior to his intent to file a claim.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for migraine headaches prior to July 15, 2021 was granted. For the period from July 15, 2021 onwards, his TBI and PTSD were rated at 30 percent each.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his PTSD with alcohol use disorder, which was previously rated at 10 percent and later increased to 30 percent in June 2012, has been dismissed due to the concurrent election issue.

The Veteran's motion to reverse the July 2003 rating decision that denied service connection for PTSD was denied, and entitlement to an effective date prior to July 15, 2013, for the award of service connection for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's motion to revise the July 2014 rating decision that granted service connection for ischemic heart disease on grounds of CUE was denied, and entitlement to an effective date prior to July 15, 2012, for the award of service connection for ischemic heart disease is denied.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis/nasal polyposis, PTSD, and OSA have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also receiving a 70 percent rating for his PTSD and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD may be aggravating her newly diagnosed OSA, but it is not clear if this aggravation was caused by her PTSD. The case is being sent back to the AOJ for further review and clarification.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on housebound status as he is not permanently confined to his dwelling and immediate premises due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, and will need to obtain an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's OSA is secondary to his service-connected PTSD and/or right knee condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50 percent disability rating, granting the benefit of the doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was denied as the VA Form 21-0781 submitted on May 21, 2018 did not constitute a valid Intent to File form and thus no earlier effective date can be granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied.,The Board found that the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment, thus a higher rating in excess of 70 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's right hip disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, and the Board has determined that higher ratings are not warranted.,Service connection for a heart condition secondary to service-connected PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for her right upper extremity scar was denied, while she was granted a total rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, brain tumor, and headaches have been granted. The service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left wrist disability, and right wrist disability are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD is granted with an effective date of January 29, 2019. The Board found that the Veteran submitted her Intent to File on January 29, 2019, and resolved all reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Veteran's motion for CUE in a November 2017 rating decision regarding PTSD was dismissed without prejudice to refiling due to lack of specificity and failure to identify any error or explain how the outcome would have been different.