PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, GERD, and IBS were dismissed due to a procedural defect in the AMA review system.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date prior to July 14, 2021, for his grant of service connection for PTSD with bipolar disorder. The Board also found that a remand is necessary for the Veteran's claim of erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is as least as likely as not caused by his service-connected PTSD, and the Board grants service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD.

The reduction in the rating for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD from 100 percent to 70 percent effective June 1, 2021, was proper based on improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder is granted a disability rating of 70 percent, effective October 22, 2018. The Board found that the symptoms more nearly approximated the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of May 31, 2016 for the increased evaluation of 70% for PTSD and TDIU due to service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's symptoms have been reflective of a 70% rating throughout the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher rate of special monthly compensation (SMC) or an earlier effective date prior to May 16, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and mood disorders. The claim will be reconsidered with a VA examination to determine if any of these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and substance abuse is being remanded due to the need to obtain missing treatment records from RAF Upwood.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for her service-connected PTSD is remanded due to conflicting medical diagnoses and the need for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension was not rated as compensable, as his diastolic pressure did not predominantly reach 100 or more.,SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted with an effective date of November 1, 2011.

The Veteran's combined rating for the appeal period prior to April 16, 2023 is granted at a maximum of 100 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The issue of Total Disability due to Unemployability (TDIU) was addressed but not separately adjudicated in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a personality disorder is granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The claim for PTSD remains pending as in-service stressor verification is required.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective July 7, 2022. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating as there are no symptoms present that would warrant a 100 percent rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request for a waiver of overpayment debt in the amount of $15,310.52 due to no fault on his part and against equity and good conscience.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected PTSD with alcohol abuse disorder and obesity.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is granted as the Board finds sufficient evidence to support that the PTSD is related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected other trauma and stress related disorder and subthreshold PTSD is rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that this rating is appropriate as it does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating due to insufficient evidence of occupational and social impairment.