PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as secondary to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with Obesity, finding that the obesity caused by PTSD is a substantial factor in causing OSA.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was initially denied in October 2019. However, the Veteran filed an Intent to File on October 22, 2020, within a year of the initial denial. The effective date for the award of service connection is now set at July 19, 2019.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of July 17, 2009 for the Veteran's service connection for PTSD. The Veteran was previously denied due to his character of discharge not being 'honorable', but this determination was later overturned. The claim was continuously pursued until service connection was established on May 19, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for posttraumatic stress disorder was dismissed because the Veteran did not file a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) using the proper form, and the filing was untimely.

The Board has dismissed the appeal because the issue is identical to one in another case and both appeals stem from the same claim for benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and depression, have rendered him unemployable due to his inability to work due to his psychiatric symptoms and physical impairments. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD did not more nearly approximate total occupational and social impairment throughout the period on appeal, resulting in a denial of an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from April 10, 2019. The rating for his sleep apnea with asthma remains at 50 percent, and the eczema is rated at 30 percent from September 6, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and alcohol use disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or occurrence of these conditions during his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and failure to provide further attempts to obtain them. The Veteran's psychotherapy sessions on September 30, 2021, and October 14, 2021, with clinical social worker K.M.T., need to be obtained.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is granted a 70 percent evaluation, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus and tinnitus are denied increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, requiring further development of evidence regarding the Appellant's mental state at the time of his misconduct leading to his other than honorable discharge.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal regarding their service-connected PTSD was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service fear of hostile military or terrorist activity, and the Board has granted service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection for recurrent TBI residuals has been granted, and the Board is remanding the issue of an earlier effective date for the PTSD rating.

The Board denied an effective date prior to December 21, 2022, for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).,The Board also denied an earlier effective date than December 21, 2022, for basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxious distress with panic attacks, left clavicle fracture residuals, cervical strain, left knee tendinopathy, and left ankle sprain, rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board granted entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a TDIU and an earlier effective date for DEA benefits due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has granted service connection for hemorrhoids, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and a depressive disorder). The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his active service.