PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance has been denied as his service-connected conditions do not render him helpless or in need of regular aid and assistance. The Board found that the Veteran's mobility issues are due to nonservice-connected disabilities, such as diabetes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and IBS are being remanded due to procedural errors and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, heart disease, stroke residuals, diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy were all denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, radiation, Gulf War, or any other specific environment was not considered in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with unspecified mental disorder was granted, effective from August 9, 1989.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is granted, but his PTSD rating remains at 70 percent.,His request for a higher rating for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD alone.,A TDIU has been granted based on the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The reduction in the disability rating for major depressive disorder and PTSD from 70% to 50% was improper, and the original 70% evaluation is restored. The Veteran's entitlement to a TDIU was denied due to his ability to perform sedentary work despite his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing is granted due to his service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and shrapnel injuries. However, as he has already received assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing, the special home adaptation grant is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and TDIU were denied as the effective dates requested are not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected TBI causes permanent loss of use of his foot, qualifying him for a certificate of eligibility in the purchase of an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder and PTSD, had onset in service and has persisted since separation. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, who was the surviving spouse of the Veteran. The claims for earlier effective dates are not considered in this decision.

The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date of October 2019 for the grant of a 70 percent rating for PTSD, finding that the medical evidence did not support a 70 percent rating prior to June 17, 2020.

The Board has already decided the claim for a higher rating for PTSD, including alcohol and cannabis use disorders. The decision granted a 70% rating effective August 17, 2020, but denied any earlier date of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder prior to February 12, 2021, was denied. The effective date for the award of an acquired psychiatric disorder was not established as it is pending.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from February 26, 2018 to April 6, 2020. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her service-connected disabilities including PTSD, migraines, and left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was granted, with the effective date set at December 24, 2014. The motion to revise the September 2018 rating decision that denied an earlier effective date for SMC based on the regular need for aid and attendance due to PTSD also succeeded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and MDD, finding that new evidence supports a link between his in-service experiences and his current psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder must be remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in failing to schedule a VA examination. The examiner is requested to provide opinions regarding the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's OSA is being remanded due to the need for an addendum VA medical opinion addressing potential relationships between PTSD symptoms and the development of OSA, including its impact on multiple risk factors. The examiner will also assess whether obesity is a substantial factor in causing or aggravating his OSA.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service connected due to the balance of evidence supporting a link between his in-service stressors and current symptoms.