PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was denied as there were no pending claims prior to the October 15, 2020 submission and the August 2018 rating decision is final.

The Veteran's PTSD, depression, alcohol use and cocaine use disorders are rated at 70 percent effective January 25, 2008. The VA Board found that the symptoms more closely approximated deficiencies in most areas for this rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been denied.,The Veteran's request for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has also been denied.,The Veteran's claim seeking an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder and substance use disorder, as secondary to PTSD was granted. The decision is based on the established in-service stressor and current diagnoses.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of September 7, 2018, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board found that a supplemental claim was received within one year of the intent to file and thus an earlier effective date is warranted.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of December 8, 2014 for service connection of PTSD. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms and treatment for PTSD began prior to this date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, and sciatic neuropathy associated with his diabetes, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 28, 2008. The Board has granted an earlier effective date of March 31, 2008 for the TDIU.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and PTSD have been granted increased ratings, with the lumbar strain rated at 20 percent effective April 3, 2020, and PTSD rated at 70 percent effective April 3, 2020.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from December 1, 2017. Her headaches are rated at 50 percent since December 15, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% from October 15, 2014 to August 22, 2020.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 19, 2009 for the award of service connection for PTSD based on new evidence received in September 2018.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been granted, as the evidence supports a link between his in-service stressors and current symptoms.,Service connection was denied for PFB due to lack of current disability at separation or recent to filing.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to his symptoms being fully contemplated by this rating.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD with panic disorder and dysthymia is remanded due to a failure to comply with the Board's previous remand instructions regarding the history of his psychiatric symptoms, particularly those relevant to the period between March 23, 2009 and October 2, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board denied his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased evaluations of his service-connected PTSD and radiculopathy, right lower extremity (sciatic nerve), finding no evidence of an increase in disability within one year prior to November 30, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal to receive an earlier effective date for a 70 percent PTSD rating was dismissed because the VA Form 10182, Notice of Disagreement, filed on April 4, 2024, was untimely.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to February 6, 2019, for the award of special monthly compensation for aid and attendance (SMC A&A). The April 2015 rating decision implicitly denied SMC A&A. New evidence submitted after this decision did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder. The evidence shows the Veteran experienced significant mental health issues during his military service, which led to his current conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted as incurred in service. The claims for acquired psychiatric disorder and left foot disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.