PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD to include major depressive disorder was denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service sexual assault and harassment. The decision also acknowledges other diagnoses such as MDD and alcohol use disorder.

The Veteran's TBI symptoms, including irritability, memory issues, sleep disturbance, fatigue, and concentration difficulty, are attributed to his service-connected PTSD. The Board found that the criteria for an initial compensable disability evaluation for traumatic brain injury have not been met.

The Veteran was granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder and cannabis use disorder in remission, claimed with sleep impairment (PTSD) effective August 21, 2019.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates on various conditions were dismissed as untimely filed. The appeal for PTSD was dismissed because the NOD/VA Form 10182 was not timely with respect to the January 2020 decision, which established an earlier effective date for PTSD. Appeals for endometriosis and migraines/post-traumatic headaches were also dismissed as untimely filed. The appeal for gastritis with IBS was dismissed because no new and material evidence was submitted within one year of the December 2018 rating decision establishing its increased evaluation. An earlier effective date of March 17, 2020 for sinusitis is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and Major Depression with Alcohol and Opioid Use Disorder are now rated at 100 percent effective November 26, 2019. The claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to verify the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors, which are necessary for a determination on service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for service connection, TDIU, and DEA for PTSD is denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not file a formal or informal claim prior to March 10, 2020, which was the date of his intent to file.

The Veteran's PDD is granted as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The Veteran's PTSD and erectile dysfunction claims are denied.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of January 29, 2020 for the Veteran's 70 percent rating for PTSD. The decision finds that the increase in severity was factually ascertainable during the appeal period to include the one year look back period.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms and overall impairment more nearly approximated deficiencies in most areas, but did not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment. The Board granted an increased disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration. The Veteran has multiple service-connected disabilities, but his combined rating does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU during any period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD and MDD was granted effective December 7, 2020. The Board denied an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's PTSD with associated anxiety, depression, insomnia, and alcohol use has been rated at 70 percent since February 12, 2015. The Board found that the current disability warranted no more than a 70 percent rating as of August 31, 2021.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's PTSD, effective October 2, 2020. The decision found that the Veteran's symptoms of chronic sleep impairment, anxiety, memory loss and suicide ideation are consistent with occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. However, SMC by reason of being housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was rated at 50 percent from September 16, 2015, to July 30, 2024. The Board found that the symptoms did not more closely approximate a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

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 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 also been denied due to the scar measuring less than 144 square inches and not associated with underlying soft tissue damage.,The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded as there was an error in failing to consider updated evidence showing suicidal ideation.

The Veteran's SMC based on housebound status and need for regular aid and attendance from June 11, 2021, but no earlier is granted. The Veteran was already in receipt of SMC housebound benefits during a prior period.