PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied because the evidence did not demonstrate a factual need for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the majority of the Veteran's need for assistance stemmed from non-service connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating effective March 24, 2014. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date for this rating was March 24, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of various conditions, finding that no claim was submitted within one year of her discharge from active duty or prior to February 22, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is granted. The Board also remanded the case to obtain SSA records related to his disability claims.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot because he is already receiving a total disability rating and SMC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s). The Board also granted SMC based on housebound status due to service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and TDIU are being remanded due to procedural errors in the initial decision, and a new examination is needed.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, including depression, anxiety, and sleep impairment, were found to be severe enough to warrant a 70 percent rating as of May 7, 2020. The Board granted an earlier effective date for this rating.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability including mood swings and memory loss other than PTSD. However, the Veteran's claim is denied as there is no probative evidence of a diagnosed psychiatric disability consistent with the DSM-5 other than his already-service connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied as his employment ended the day before December 16, 2010, and he was not in a protected work environment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but no higher, effective from the date of this decision.,Service connection for OSA remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD as the Veteran refused to attend a VA examination without providing good cause, and there was no competent medical evidence supporting a higher rating.

The Board has restored the Veteran's PTSD rating from 70% to 50%, effective October 1, 2021, finding that the reduction was improper.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for neoplasm of the kidney and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's exposure during service is presumed to include burn pit exposure.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD, hypertension, and IHD were all granted with effective dates based on the implementation of the PACT Act. The rating for IHD was increased to 30% from a previous 10%. All other claims are denied.

The Veteran's effective date for the 100 percent evaluation for PTSD with alcohol dependence in remission is denied as it occurred after a VA review examination on March 25, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's multiple service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and bilateral pes planus, contributed to her obesity and subsequent development of obstructive sleep apnea. The appeal is thus granted.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was received to readjudicate the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD resulting from a military sexual trauma. The case is being remanded due to the need for clarification of the Veteran's mental health diagnoses and additional review of his lengthy history.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD has been denied. The TDIU claim is remanded for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD required hospitalization at a VA facility from August 12, 2020 to September 3, 2020. The Board granted a temporary total disability rating for this period.