PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for recurrent right ankle sprains has been denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.,The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for his right ankle surgical scar has been denied as the scar area is less than 144 square inches and not associated with underlying soft tissue damage.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD remains pending due to a duty-to-assist error in the prior decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, GAD, and alcohol and cannabis use disorders is granted prior to October 21, 2023. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him housebound or in need of regular aid and attendance prior to October 30, 2019. Therefore, entitlement to an effective date prior to that date for SMC at the housebound rate is denied.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not related to his service noise exposure.,The Veteran's DM II was not incurred in service.,The Veteran's left foot hallux valgus (post-surgery left foot bunionectomy residuals) was not incurred in service.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, depression, anxiety, and problems sleeping.,The Veteran's lower back pain was not incurred in service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted an increased evaluation of 70 percent, but no higher, for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The AOJ is instructed to make further requests and attempts to verify the Veteran's alleged in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's SSA records need to be requested, and he is asked to provide updated information about his employment history.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the timeliness of their April 2021 HLR request is granted. The AOJ is requested to process this request and address the rating for PTSD from March 11, 2011 to September 24, 2017.

The Veteran's hypertension, lung cancer, trunk scars, and PTSD have been granted service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Vietnam. The PACT Act has added hypertension to the list of presumptive diseases.,Service connection for lung cancer is granted based on the presumption of herbicide agent exposure and the Veteran's current diagnosis.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% and has been increased to 70%, effective March 10, 2020. The Board found the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for separate disability ratings for posttraumatic stress disorder and bipolar I disorder, finding that awarding a separate rating would constitute impermissible pyramiding.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and peripheral neuropathies affecting his lower extremities, have resulted in the need for aid and attendance of another person. The Board has determined that the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance are met.

Effective dates of June 6, 2014, and no earlier, have been granted for service connection for lumbosacral spine strain with degenerative arthritis, cervical spine strain, degenerative arthritis, and intervertebral disc syndrome, and PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants an initial 70 percent disability rating effective June 18, 2018. The Board finds the evidence of record more closely approximates symptomatology supportive of a 70 percent rating from the date of service connection.

The Veteran's renal disability is rated at 60 percent, effective February 16, 2024. The Board granted a TDIU based on PTSD alone from the same date, and SMC at housebound rate due to combined disabilities meeting 60% rating threshold.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD was denied. The VA determined that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating from January 29, 2019, to October 9, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal of the December 1981 rating decision that denied service connection for PTSD based on CUE is dismissed as a matter of law.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100% rating, and his left total knee arthroplasty residuals are granted a 60% rating prior to November 8, 2021. The appeal for a higher rating on or after November 8, 2021, for the left knee disability remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as it is related to an in-service stressor of retrieving dead bodies while serving at Belle Isle Coast Guard Station.