PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral shin splints was denied due to a lack of evidence showing the presence of this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his increased rating for PTSD, DEA benefits, and TDIU. The claims are being remanded to consider the effectiveness of these decisions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with mood disorder and atrial fibrillation was denied. The Veteran is granted TDIU based on the service-connected psychiatric disability alone, effective January 10, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for atrial fibrillation was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's in-service stressors and his acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides. The claims for service connection of unspecified depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD are remanded as the VA examination opinions were inadequate. Other claims for service connection are also remanded.

The Veteran's motion to revise the January 2016 rating decision that reduced his PTSD disability rating from 30 percent to 10 percent is granted, and a rating of 30 percent, but not higher, for PTSD is assigned starting May 1, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete STRs and a duty to assist error. The issues include obesity, increased appetite, heat intolerance, arthritis, abdominal condition, nervous condition (including tremors and nervousness), hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, anxiety and insomnia), diabetes mellitus, heart condition (including tachycardia), and gynecological condition (including menstrual irregularities).

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea and an increase in his PTSD rating was dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has restored the original 100% rating for PTSD effective March 1, 2021, as there was no evidence of material improvement in the disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board found that the Veteran's unemployability is due to a lung condition unrelated to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but no higher. The finger injury claim was denied. Other service connection claims were also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which represents an increase from the previous 30 percent rating. The Board found that his symptoms more closely approximate those of a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 4, 2012, for the award of service connection for PTSD is denied as there was no pending or unadjudicated claim for PTSD before that date.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 4, 2020 for the award of service connection for PTSD with MDD, anxious distress, and cannabis use disorder. The Veteran's claim was continuously pursued since he submitted his initial claim in December 2020.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD with major depressive disorder was granted effective May 12, 2014. A higher evaluation of 70% was granted prior to June 11, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to August 29, 2016, for the award of service connection for chronic acquired psychiatric disability was denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of any unadjudicated formal or informal claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder prior to August 29, 2016.,The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the regular need for aid and attendance was granted. The Board found that the Veteran required assistance in bathing, tending to hygiene needs, preparing meals, and taking medications due to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran is denied an effective date prior to January 27, 2020 for the award of service connection for PTSD and related psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective March 29, 2019. Effective the same date, he was granted TDIU and DEA eligibility.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded due to insufficient verification of in-service stressors. The AOJ will attempt to verify the reported incidents and provide any available information.