PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD prior to February 16, 2021 and earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA has been withdrawn by the Veteran's authorized representative. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD was denied. The effective date of TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance was granted on February 24, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% prior to December 13, 2019. Effective December 13, 2019, the rating was increased to 70%, and he was granted TDIU.,An effective date of December 13, 2019, but no earlier, for both the PTSD rating increase and TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective January 18, 2023. He also received a TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain/degenerative arthritis resulted in limitation of forward flexion to 25 degrees, and a 40 percent disability evaluation was granted. The claims for psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), headaches, chronic sinusitis, and dermatitis were remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further action to obtain private treatment records related to the Veteran's PTSD from Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State University. The effective dates for both lumbosacral strain and PTSD ratings are not established as they were not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date prior to July 28, 2022 for the grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder is denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not continuously pursue his psychiatric claim to preserve an earlier effective date.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability. The issue of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, alcohol use disorder and cannabis use disorder. The decision is based on evidence showing a current diagnosis of these conditions and a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA medical examination addressing whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was aggravated by service. The Veteran contends that his condition existed prior to service and was aggravated therein.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD due to MST. The decision finds that there is at least as likely as not a link between the Veteran's current PTSD and his military sexual trauma experienced during service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is granted as secondary to military sexual trauma (MST) incurred during service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating of his service-connected psychiatric disability (PTSD with bipolar II disorder) is denied. The effective date remains February 26, 2021.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and insomnia disorder is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability level as he maintains social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia, previously claimed as chronic fatigue disorder (CFS), is granted with an effective date of March 15, 2016. The claim for PTSD with major depressive disorder is denied due to the earliest possible effective date being April 6, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in a July 2017 rating decision. The Board found that the July 2017 decision is final and did not receive new and relevant evidence within one year of the denial, nor were there any exceptions to finality. Therefore, an effective date earlier than February 1, 2021, for the grant of service connection for PTSD cannot be awarded.

The Veteran's back condition, allergic rhinitis, hemorrhoids, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and tension headaches (secondary to PTSD) have all been granted service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, but a higher 70 percent rating is granted.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD and TDIU was granted, with the effective date set at December 12, 2007. The attorney fee of ten percent of past-due benefits awarded in the December 2018 rating decision is reasonable.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding a proposed reduction of the Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder rating from 70 to 50 percent, as the February 2024 rating decision was not an appealable decision.