PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective from May 2, 2017. The Board denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an increased rating to 70 percent throughout the appeal period, effective from the date of the decision. The matter of TDIU is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's PTSD, finding that his consistent and credible statements regarding an in-service stressor are sufficient to establish service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the claims of lower back condition, left wrist condition, and mental health condition (post-traumatic stress disorder).

The Board denied the Veteran's request to revise a January 2008 rating decision that assigned a 30 percent rating for PTSD on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE). The Veteran argued his symptoms warranted a higher rating, but the Board found no CUE in the original decision.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal, and the Board has dismissed it as a result.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD was granted with an effective date of April 6, 2020. The Board found that the Veteran submitted a valid claim on this date and thus warranted an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's diagnosed PTSD is related to military sexual trauma, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's GERD is proximately due to his service-connected PTSD, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and a right hand disability are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Board will attempt to verify the Veteran's reported stressors and schedule him for VA examinations to address his claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100 percent rating, and his left total knee arthroplasty residuals are granted a 60 percent rating prior to November 8, 2021, with no higher. The Veteran's request for a TDIU is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The claim of service connection for residuals of a head injury is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than April 30, 2021 for the award of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied. The issues of a rating greater than 70 percent for a service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder and entitlement to TDIU are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The lumbar spine disability, PTSD, HTN, and ED issues are remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD prior to July 20, 2018 was denied. The Board granted a rating of 70% for PTSD effective June 2, 2021.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU for the period prior to October 29, 2021 due to her service-connected PTSD rated at 70 percent. Additionally, she is granted SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) based on her additional disabilities of tinnitus, cervical strain, right wrist sprain (Major), radiculopathy, right upper extremity, and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not substantially contribute to his employment handicap, and he was found employable with his current skills, experience, and education. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for VR&E benefits.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with an effective date of December 11, 2012. The Board also dismissed the issue regarding CUE in the October 2014 rating decision as moot due to the grant of the earlier effective date.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and prostate cancer residuals, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's substantive appeal as to the September 2014 SOC was timely filed, resolving all reasonable doubt in her favor. The issues of increased ratings for PTSD and lumbar strain were granted.