PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to July 19, 2019. Effective July 19, 2019, the rating for PTSD was increased to 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as the criteria were not met. The effective date of March 23, 2016, is established based on the evidence of record.

The Board has denied service connection for stroke and remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance, and special monthly compensation based on housebound status due to a lack of evidence corroborating the Veteran's reported in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% from June 29, 2016, and increased to 70% effective December 20, 2018. The Board granted an earlier effective date of November 6, 2019, for the 70% rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder, and thus grants service connection for OSA as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in March 2015, and the decision became final. The earliest date of claim following this denial is March 23, 2018. As no new or relevant evidence was submitted within one year of the March 2015 decision, an effective date prior to March 23, 2018 for service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI have been granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective from January 18, 2013. Right ankle tenosynovitis has also been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient competent medical evidence and a need for VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of such disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, major depressive disorder, stimulant use disorder, and alcohol use disorder precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of December 31, 2018. The Board granted the claim for TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease, PTSD, and TBI are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the incident at Fort Campbell in June 2006.

The Veteran's chronic adjustment disorder with alcohol abuse and PTSD have been granted a 70% evaluation prior to December 18, 2019. The left ankle condition has been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability necessitates his need for regular aid and assistance of another individual to assist in bathing, preparing meals, tending to hygiene needs, and managing medication. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Formula for Mental Disorders. The Board found that her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's tension headaches have been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, which is the highest possible rating under Diagnostic Code 8100.,Service connection has been granted for both left and right knee conditions. Both knees are currently assigned a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which was secondary to PTSD with alcohol use disorder, stimulant use disorder, cocaine type, and anxiolytic use disorder, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a failure to associate all available VA treatment records pre-dating the April 2020 SOC with the claims file.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the failure to schedule VA examinations in Panama or Florida, where he was residing at the time. The AOJ must reschedule these exams and address the functional effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employment.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of the appellant's headaches, including as secondary to service-connected tinnitus, and her acquired psychiatric disorder, previously claimed as PTSD. The VA will provide an adequate examination and opinion on these issues.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from July 7, 2022. The effective date for the increased rating has been set to July 7, 2022.