PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective March 30, 2017 due to service-connected PTSD. The Board found the evidence established that the Veteran's PTSD rendered him unemployable.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, did not result in the level of impairment required for a higher rating. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's service connection for headaches is granted. The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder remains at a 50% evaluation, but the appeal for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is remanded due to the lack of a VA examination prior to the November 2019 AOJ adjudication.

The Veteran's PTSD treatment at a VA facility from September 19, 2019 to December 13, 2019 qualifies for a temporary total evaluation due to hospitalization.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD, finding that March 19, 2021 is the earliest date of claim and thus the effective date.

The Veteran's PTSD and persistent depressive disorder are currently rated at 70 percent, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not warrant an increased rating as it does not meet the criteria for chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale.,The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than September 23, 2009 for Meniere's syndrome and November 29, 2011 for migraines due to Meniere's syndrome have been granted. The other claims related to a neck disability, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and scar have not met the criteria for an effective date prior to October 26, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for hypothyroidism and an acquired psychiatric condition (claimed as PTSD with depression) due to in-service exposure, with the latter being linked to a witnessed vehicle crash during deployment.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at AdventHealth Lake Placid on November 13, 2019 are now covered by VA as the treatment was for a serious condition that posed an immediate threat to his health and no feasible VA facility was available.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his PTSD disability is being remanded due to a failure to obtain VA treatment records.

The appeals of the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disabilities and PTSD have been dismissed.,An increased rating for a low back disability has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is granted from March 21, 2022. The appeal period prior to March 21, 2022, is addressed in the remand section.

The Veteran was awarded SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person effective September 17, 2018. The Board found that it was factually ascertainable that he required this benefit more than one year prior to the filing of his intent to file a claim.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death. The Board had no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the appeal as it pertained to conditions and issues related to service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, MDD, and GAD based on the Veteran's credible in-service stressor related to his experience during military service in Okinawa, Japan. The decision is based on a finding that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and anxiety, is related to service. However, there is no evidence of a current hip disability for which service connection can be granted.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death. The Board had no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the appeal as it pertained to conditions and issues related to service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, granted service connection for left knee pain (left knee disability), and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, anxiety, and sleeping problems.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding new and relevant evidence since the prior denial. The Veteran reported multiple in-service stressors, including an assault by a noncommissioned officer resulting in physical injuries.