PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors, including failure to properly develop records regarding the Veteran's service personnel and stressor claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date than March 18, 2020 for the award of a 70 percent rating for PTSD. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also remanded as it may be eligible on an extraschedular basis prior to March 18, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for functional diarrhea prior to December 22, 2019 is denied. The evidence does not show frequent episodes of bowel disturbance without medication.,The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since February 6, 2017 and the claim for a TDIU as part of this rating is also denied. The Board finds no total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD.,The Veteran's request for an effective date prior to December 22, 2019 for his TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to the credible in-service stressors and no direct link between current symptoms and a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his symptoms did not cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to August 2, 2020, and at 70 percent thereafter. The appeal is remanded for further examination and rating considerations.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc disease and lower extremity radiculopathy were not rated as requested in the decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for service connection for sleep apnea and PTSD are denied, as the evidence does not support a link to service-connected conditions or stressors. The claim for service connection for sinusitis is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not render her unemployable, as she has the skills and ability to perform semi-skilled work such as receptionist, cashier-checker, and general supervisor. The Board finds that a TDIU is not warranted.

The appeal for a higher rating and an earlier effective date for PTSD with depression is denied.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with posttraumatic stress disorder, and his claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD with alcohol, stimulant, and opioid use disorders was denied. The Board found that the severity of his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating. For service connection, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was denied as there was no evidence linking it to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent rating, but no higher, throughout the appeal period. The Board found that her symptoms resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for insomnia disorder, finding that the symptoms of insomnia are not distinct from those of her other service-connected conditions including PTSD, hypothyroidism with myxedema, tachycardia, and IBS.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and will need to obtain a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD with ADHD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, but the Board has granted a higher rating of 50 percent effective from July 25, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as he does not have a diagnosis of PTSD during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the AOJ not attempting to obtain mental health treatment records from her active duty service.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for central sleep apnea associated with PTSD and alcohol abuse is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of September 25, 2001, the day following her separation from active duty. The decision is based on evidence showing she was sexually assaulted during military service and underwent mental health treatment.

The Veteran was found unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her service-connected PTSD and tinnitus, resulting in a TDIU rating.