PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD rated at 50 percent is denied. The Board found no factually ascertainable increase in disability occurred within one year prior to August 26, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain personnel records and for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 23, 2020 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates and increased ratings are addressed in separate sections.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from October 22, 2018 onwards. A TDIU rating was granted effective February 1, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left knee instability and PTSD has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support ratings greater than 10 percent or 70 percent, respectively.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU and a higher rating for his back disability is denied. The Board found that the Veteran maintained substantially gainful employment until he stopped working in March 2020, which supports the current effective date of June 19, 2020.

The Veteran's petit mal and grand mal epilepsy are rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable criteria. The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is granted a 70 percent rating, reflecting significant impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD was denied by the Board, as he did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's PTSD and unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder. The AOJ is required to obtain a new medical opinion addressing whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of April 11, 2023.,The Veteran is now eligible for DEA benefits since April 11, 2023.,The Veteran is also entitled to SMC at the housebound rate from April 11, 2023.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disorder is denied as the prior denials became final due to lack of appeal and no new and material evidence was received during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, and his military service. The Veteran will need a new examination to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Somatic Symptom Disorder due to a lack of adequate VA examination addressing whether the in-service stressor warranted a diagnosis for PTSD, and because the examiner did not consider multiple VA treatment records that diagnosed the Veteran with PTSD and an unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD and associated mental health disabilities have been manifested by impairment with deficiencies in most areas including work, family life, judgment, thinking, and mood. The Board denied the claim for a disability rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD but granted entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but no higher, effective from the date of the March 2022 AOJ decision. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at a 70 percent disability rating since November 28, 2018. The effective date of this decision is based on the Veteran's continuous pursuit of his claim for an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination findings and a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and hemorrhoids alone are not sufficient to warrant special monthly compensation for aid and attendance and/or housebound status.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevented him from securing or following employment earning more than marginal income starting February 3, 2020. The Board granted an earlier effective date for the TDIU award.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 24, 2021, for the grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD with alcohol and stimulant use disorders is denied. The Board found it not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's condition warranted such a high rating at any time prior to February 24, 2021.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective October 3, 2017. He was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected PTSD.