PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied, and the appeal for a TDIU was dismissed as moot due to the March 2023 rating decision granting the TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 19, 2019, for service connection of his acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD and depressive disorder) is denied. The Board also remanded the cases for further action on special monthly compensation based on housebound status and TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent effective September 1, 1979. The Board found that the Veteran had definite impairment in his ability to establish or maintain effective and wholesome relationships with people due to his PTSD symptoms.

The Board has denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD.

The appeal seeking entitlement to a TDIU based on service-connected PTSD remains pending and is being remanded for further development. The appeal regarding the TDIU for accrued benefits purposes is also being remanded as it has been rendered moot.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, is related to his active-duty service and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's mental health conditions, including PTSD, major depression, and anxiety disorder, are currently diagnosed. The Board finds that the evidence does not establish a clear link between these conditions and service, necessitating further examination to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's SMC P-2 award is restored effective January 31, 2020. The rating decision proposing a reduction in his SMC was found to have made CUE and thus the restoration of his SMC P-2 award is granted.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% disability rating for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder/depression, alcohol use disorder, and gambling disorder effective December 1, 2021.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of all psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, anxiety disorder, alcohol use disorder, and adjustment disorder. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent disabling since January 27, 2012. The Board found that the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating of 100 percent due to total social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was received on March 26, 2019. The effective date of this award is set to that same day.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The Board found the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximated a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder is granted an initial 70 percent rating effective August 26, 2020. The earlier effective dates for the increased rating and TDIU are also granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and higher initial rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder was denied.,An initial 30 percent rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 50% rating for PTSD is denied as the medical evidence does not show that it was factually ascertainable that a 50% rating was warranted prior to January 21, 2020.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for his PTSD disability ratings, but the Board has remanded these claims due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's child, I., was recognized as a helpless child for VA purposes and additional dependent benefits were added to his award of VA disability compensation effective July [REDACTED], 2017. The appeal is granted with an effective date of July [REDACTED], 2017.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection claims for PTSD, left knee condition, and right knee condition. The Board has dismissed the appeal due to withdrawal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable since June 1, 2020. The Board has granted TDIU and assigned June 1, 2020 as the effective date. The Veteran is also entitled to DEA benefits from June 1, 2020.