PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with alcohol use disorder was granted, and the effective date is set at January 4, 2018.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to her service-connected PTSD with bipolar II disorder, as she is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an extension of his delimiting date under Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill) education benefits, finding that the evidence did not persuasively support the claim that he was prevented from initiating or completing his program of education due to his psychiatric disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, finding that his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating due to total social and occupational impairment. The appeal is dismissed regarding entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been shown to cause reduced reliability and productivity for the entire appeal period, but not total occupational and social impairment. The rating of 50 percent is granted.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of September 16, 2013, for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD and entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran's symptoms worsened during the one-year look back period prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for dysthymic disorder with PTSD is denied. The earliest effective date considered is September 28, 2006.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas as of November 7, 2017.,The Veteran is granted TDIU effective November 7, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's time at Ground Zero during 9/11 meets the criteria to support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, warranting a disability rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing the appeal.

The Board has granted effective dates of November 8, 2018 for the service connection awards of bilateral hearing loss and PTSD. The Veteran's filing date was considered to be November 8, 2018 when he submitted his Intent to File form.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, did not have their onset during active service or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore denied service connection for PTSD. The claim for Generalized Anxiety Disorder is remanded due to an inadequate VA opinion.

The appeal as to the claim of entitlement to service connection for fibromyalgia has been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the claims regarding an acquired psychiatric disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, and left knee conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since April 7, 2007. The Board granted a rating of 100 percent effective from April 7, 2007 to April 4, 2012.

The Veteran's prostate cancer disability rating was restored to 100% effective July 1, 2024.,SMC at the housebound rate for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities is also restored effective July 1, 2024.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in duty-to-assist, specifically regarding the verification of in-service stressors for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the severity of his symptoms.