PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective July 11, 2018. A TDIU is also granted.

The Veteran's other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (claimed as PTSD) was initially rated at 30 percent prior to November 30, 2022. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of his psychiatric symptoms were no worse than a 30 percent rating, which corresponds to occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted effective December 19, 2019. The Board found that the intent to file dated December 19, 2019, referred to his September 2020 claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, migraines, and tinnitus are found to be of such severity that they prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected PTSD, cervical intervertebral disc syndrome, and tinnitus. As a result, the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to these conditions is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a TDIU and DEA benefits prior to September 28, 2006 due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran may be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is granted, with an effective date of August 19, 2020, the date VA received his increased rating claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a rating in excess of 70 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have aggravated his OSA, and the effective date for service connection of PTSD is granted. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD alone rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, and his other service-connected disabilities combined to at least a 60% rating. SMC based on statutory housebound status is granted as of April 21, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss were adjudicated under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA), and a final rating decision was issued. The appellant did not appeal this decision within one year, making it final. There is no evidence that the Veteran had unpaid benefits at the time of his death.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the Veteran's service connection claims due to a failure to file proper appeal forms within one year of final denial.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is granted. The claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus type II is denied.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding medical records from the Veteran's period of incarceration at Orange County Jail, which should be obtained to support his claim for service connection. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD because there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and the evidence does not support a link between the claimed in-service injury and the diagnosed condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Insomnia Disorder, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are related to in-service events.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his current level of impairment.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, was not properly appealed due to an improper VA Form 10182 submission. The issue is dismissed as a matter of law.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea is not causally related to his service-connected disabilities, but may have been aggravated by them. The Board also found that obesity, which may be linked to his service-connected disabilities, was a substantial factor in causing his sleep apnea. As such, the issue must be remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a TDIU effective March 14, 2023. This decision is based on the November 2023 rating decision which addressed the severity of the Veteran's PTSD.