PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder was granted in a July 2021 rating decision, but the effective date is denied as it cannot be earlier than February 23, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for PTSD with recurrent, moderate MDD with anxious distress is denied as the evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment prior to January 12, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD was granted effective January 14, 2021. The Board found that the earliest date on which a claim could be considered as filed is January 14, 2021.

The Veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder is granted as service-connected due to a personal assault during active duty.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder. The decision is based on medical opinions that link the Veteran's current sleep apnea condition to his PTSD and weight gain/obesity.

The appeal to change the effective date of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive symptoms from June 17, 2020, to February 17, 2021, based on a finding of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of posttraumatic stress disorder was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the appeal process.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is granted a 100% disability rating from May 30, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his newly diagnosed OSA. The VA will seek an addendum opinion from a qualified clinician to address causation, aggravation, and obesity as an intermediate step.

The Veteran's cause of death was granted service connection, and the surviving spouse (Appellant) has already been awarded Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits. The appeal is dismissed as there are no live issues or claims remaining.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of August 28, 2019 for a 70 percent disability evaluation for service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder to include major depressive disorder (previously evaluated as unspecified depressive disorder), anxiety disorder, PTSD and all nervous and/or emotional conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The May 2020 VA examination corroborated the in-service stressors and found that both contributed to the diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA medical opinion and incomplete work history provided by the AOJ.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of proposed reductions in ratings for major depressive disorder without psychosis, posttraumatic stress disorder, and migraine headaches as they are not final rating actions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, a right shoulder disability, and scarring of the right shoulder have been denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for any condition due to the lack of evidence showing significant impairment or additional symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted service connection and rated at 70 percent. The Board denied a higher rating, finding the disability picture does not meet criteria for a 100 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically whether his PTSD aggravated his hypertension and contributed to his Alzheimer's disease.

Your initial rating for PTSD with personality disorder has been set at 70 percent, and the appeal to increase this rating is dismissed.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected PTSD and prostate cancer residuals, which rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.