PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his mental health disorder (claimed as PTSD) was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximated a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective January 6, 2021, based on VA treatment records indicating symptoms warranting a 70 percent evaluation. The Board found no evidence of an earlier increase in disability.,The Veteran's cervical spine condition was rated at 30 percent effective February 3, 2022, based on a VA examination showing symptoms warranting the increase. The Board found no indication of an earlier ascertainable worsening.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70% disability rating for PTSD is denied because there was no factually ascertainable increase in severity within the year prior to his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia is rated at 30 percent, effective October 2, 2012. The earlier effective date for the PTSD rating has been granted to October 2, 2012. The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 70 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete records, lack of adequate etiology opinions, and need for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD with anxious distress are rated at a maximum of 100 percent, indicating total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and unverified in-service stressor. The RO is instructed to verify the veteran's military service, reconstruct their medical records, and verify the in-service stressor for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors and the need for further examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD with alcohol dependence and other stimulant dependence are being reviewed, including whether her preexisting condition was aggravated by service or caused by an in-service injury.

The Veteran's PTSD and Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) claims have been granted. The PTSD rating has been restored to 70 percent effective September 30, 2019.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified anxiety disorder and adjustment disorder with depressed mood is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis remains rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric conditions, including other specified trauma and stressor related disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, are not service-connected as they did not begin during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder has been dismissed due to the absence of a valid Notice of Appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed due to procedural error caused by a concurrent review election.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to properly verify the appellant's claimed stressors for PTSD. The VA will need to make attempts to verify these stressors based on the information provided by the appellant.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder, to include PTSD, was granted a rating of 50 percent prior to July 9, 2019.,From July 9, 2019, the Veteran's PTSD disability was granted a rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC claims were denied as her service-connected conditions, including migraine headaches, PTSD, sleep apnea, and lumbar strain, did not prevent her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board found that the Veteran was able to work during the appeal period despite missing some days due to her migraines.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the claim of service connection for Sleep Apnea (OSA), and any secondary relationship to PTSD. The Veteran's OSA was not incurred during his active service, nor can it be attributed to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD from January 23, 2018 is granted. The appeal for TDIU is denied.