PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits, other than employment benefits, to include a program of independent living services pursuant to 38 U.S.C. Chapter 31 due to the lack of reasonable feasibility in achieving a vocational goal and improvement in independence in daily living.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU prior to August 23, 2023, due to his service-connected PTSD. The issue of TDIU beginning on or after August 23, 2023, is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD as secondary to dysthymic disorder, was denied. Her request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, a mood disorder, or an anxiety disorder is remanded due to the need for further medical examination and verification of in-service stressors.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to the Veteran's right knee disability, scars of the right knee, anxiety/mental issues with PTSD, insomnia with headaches and nightmares, left knee disability, and back pain as the appellant withdrew their appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety and depression has been rated at 70 percent since January 3, 2013. The Board finds that an even higher rating is warranted due to the severity of her symptoms.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and bilateral lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy have been granted service connection, with the latter being secondary to his primary back disability.,An initial 50 percent rating for tension headaches has been granted, reflecting very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his current diagnosis is related to a reported in-service personal assault.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 100% effective January 20, 2020. The Board denied an earlier effective date as it was not factually ascertainable that the condition increased in severity prior to this date.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and sleep impairment is rated at 70 percent since May 26, 2016. The effective date for service connection has been denied as no earlier claim was received. A TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Board dismissed the appeals for reducing the evaluations of various service-connected conditions, including PTSD and back disability. The Veteran did not allege any specific error in these decisions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD should be remanded due to insufficient verification of stressors. The AOJ is required to conduct further development regarding the alleged stressors.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 17, 2017, for the grants of service connection for PTSD, a cervical spine disability, and a lumbar spine disability. The decision is based on the receipt of a formal claim within one year of the intent to file.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his educational background and work experience, warranting the grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD was rated at 70 percent prior to September 13, 2018. A 100 percent rating is granted for the period from September 13, 2018, but no earlier. The case of service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD and MDD is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since July 17, 2017.,Effective July 17, 2017, the Veteran is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD due to military sexual trauma (MST) and found that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to in-service MST.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD with major depression) are granted. The Board finds new and relevant evidence sufficient to readjudicate these claims.