PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection was denied as he did not continuously pursue his previous claims within one year of the August 2019 rating decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors and remands the cases for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the nature and likely cause of any acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's service records indicate he was involved in an incident during active duty where an aircraft nearly crashed into the ocean.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including MDD, PTSD, insomnia, and GERD with hiatal hernia and IBS, have prevented her from securing or following substantially gainful employment since October 2, 2020. The Board finds that TDIU is warranted from this date.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on multiple service-connected conditions have been denied. The Board found that the current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of his disabilities.

The rating reductions for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and posttraumatic stress disorder were not proper, and their ratings have been restored.,Special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status has been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is evaluated at a 30 percent rating, which reflects the severity and frequency of his symptoms. The Board found that these symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claim due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The case will be returned for a new examination and opinion from a clinician.

The appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 and service connection for cause of death, finding that his PTSD with alcohol abuse did not contribute to his death due to willful misconduct.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking and/or mood. The Board finds that a uniform 70 percent rating is warranted for the entire appeal period.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and an unspecified personality disorder. The Veteran's appeal seeking an initial rating greater than 70% for his PTSD was also denied.,The Board found no current disability for the right shoulder disorder and concluded that the Veteran's psychiatric symptoms could not be reliably differentiated from his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD as the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and voiding dysfunction post prostate cancer have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD and aortic stenosis post-heart valve replacement were denied increased ratings. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD most closely approximates occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, family relationships, judgment, thinking or mood. Service connection for frequent urination was remanded. A TDIU and SMC were granted.

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

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability ratings for his acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the reductions were not proper due to a lack of actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Veteran's effective date for basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) based on permanent and total disability status is granted as of March 20, 2020.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD with TBI is denied. The earliest proper effective date is March 20, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors, including failing to provide a VA examination for PTSD and relying on an inadequate VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's intercostal neuralgia at T6, with numbness and pain, is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 70 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increase to a higher rating.