PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD, bipolar II disorder, and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder was dismissed due to a duplicate docket number.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected PTSD, migraine with aura, and overactive bladder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including verifying stressors and obtaining medical opinions on psychiatric disabilities and blood clotting disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and dementia, do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board found that the evidence does not show he is unable to work due to his conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on housebound status was denied because he does not meet the criteria for such benefits, as his service-connected disabilities do not independently rate at 60% or more and he is not permanently confined to his dwelling due to these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD from July 6, 1968 to October 26, 1979 caused severe impairment in social and industrial adaptability, warranting a 70% rating.

The Board has remanded the DIC claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to insufficient evidence regarding whether PTSD, a combat-related stress disorder, was related to service and contributed to the Veteran's death. The AOJ is required to obtain a VA medical opinion on this issue.

An effective date of August 25, 2004 for the award of service connection for PTSD is granted. An initial disability rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD from July 21, 2010 is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a higher 70 percent rating for the increase rating period from September 17, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his service-connected PTSD is denied because he did not continuously pursue the prior claim for anxiety and bi-polar disorder, which was last denied in September 2020. The new initial claim for PTSD was filed in October 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to require regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder are currently rated at 30 percent, which is the minimum rating available. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for a 50%, 70%, or 100% disability rating.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates in his ratings for PTSD, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) was granted effective June 30, 2009. The earlier effective date for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to November 30, 2017 is dismissed as moot due to the Veteran's continuous receipt of a 100% schedular rating and housebound special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 21, 2019 for a 100% disability rating for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's disability picture approximated total occupational and social impairment within one year prior to the date of receipt of the Intent to File.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and PTSD due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations related to his back condition, and VA must attempt to verify an in-service stressor involving Manuel Pardo.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and major depressive disorder is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ must obtain private treatment records from relevant providers.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are more severe than currently rated, warranting a disability rating of 70 percent.,Following surgery for his service-connected right shoulder sprain with degenerative changes to the acromioclavicular joint on October 21, 2019, the Veteran is entitled to a temporary total evaluation based on need for convalescence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service stressor, and therefore service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the appeal for an increased rating has been denied. The Veteran also requested a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities but this was not granted.