PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a VA examination and to obtain additional medical records. The Veteran's PTSD remains rated at 70 percent, effective from May 5, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left shoulder disabilities, cervical spine disability, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand, and major depressive disorder with PTSD caused a need for regular aid and attendance on a daily basis. The Board found that SMC based on this need was warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected conditions, as well as new evidence of worsening since previous evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to October 30, 2015, for service connection of PTSD with major depressive disorder is denied. The appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder is also denied. The appeal for a TDIU from October 30, 2015, through January 31, 2016, is denied.

The Veteran's claims for left knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, skin rash, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) have been reopened. The Board found new and material evidence in the form of the Veteran's testimony regarding her service experiences and symptoms.

The Veteran is unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities from November 1, 2016, to March 24, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% evaluation for PTSD with major depression and alcohol use disorder is denied as there was no factually ascertainable increase in disability during the one-year lookback period from her September 22, 2022 filing for an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed as he did not file a timely appeal of the January 2019 rating decision denying his claim.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD with depressive disorder due to chronic pain syndrome was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment required for a 100% disability rating. However, he was granted entitlement to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, initially claimed as PTSD, is granted. The claims of service connection for sleep apnea, a respiratory disorder, a digestive disorder, and a cervical spine disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD and Lumbosacral strain is remanded due to the need to obtain private treatment records.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC HB claims are granted. The Board has ordered remand for further examination regarding service connection for brain aneurysm, stroke, and A&A entitlement.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is dismissed because the April 2021 rating decision was not an initial rating decision and thus does not fall under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, unspecified anxiety disorder, and chronic adjustment disorder is granted. The appeal is based on the Veteran's in-service stressors during his deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities required care or assistance from another person on a regular basis to protect him from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment, and the Board has granted special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for a 70% rating for PTSD and TDIU was denied as there is no evidence of continuous pursuit prior to December 17, 2007.,The earliest effective date that the Veteran can be granted entitlement to service connection for a 70% rating for PTSD and TDIU is December 17, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically nightmares and PTSD. The Veteran is requested to undergo a VA examination to determine if his current condition is related to service.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal regarding the evaluation for PTSD, so the case is dismissed.