PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding PTSD and the initial rating for left ankle disability due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the reduction of PTSD rating to 70% has been restored back to 100%, effective May 1, 2021.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating was not warranted based on his symptoms. The appeal for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD and MDD with alcohol and cannabis use disorder was denied, but the Board found that an earlier effective date of July 14, 2015 should be granted.,The Veteran is also seeking earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA based on permanent and total disability status.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent effective August 1, 2022. The appeal for a higher rating and an earlier effective date was denied.

The Board has restored the Veteran's PTSD disability rating to 100 percent effective February 1, 2021, as the reduction from 100 percent to 70 percent was improper due to a failure to properly apply the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.344.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) were granted effective January 21, 2019. However, his claim for a higher rating for tension headaches was denied.

The Veteran's separate ratings for PTSD and TBI residuals were restored, with the PTSD rating being increased to 70 percent effective May 1, 2020.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The issues related to service connection and rating increases are not addressed as they pertain to a deceased Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have been granted a 100% rating, GERD has been granted a 30% rating, and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35 is established. The issue of TDIU prior to August 5, 2016, is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU have been dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he has passed away.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and peripheral neuropathy disabilities have necessitated the need for regular aid and attendance since September 6, 2017. The Board has granted SMC at the intermediate rate based on this need.

The Board has granted an extraschedular TDIU from April 4, 2005 to January 2, 2012 and basic eligibility for DEA effective April 4, 2005 based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are significant, but his employment status is unclear. The Board finds a pre-duty to assist error and remands for clarification of the Veteran's work status since November 2020.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for earlier effective date, disability rating, and TDIU for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to the Veteran's death.

The appeal contesting attorney fees is dismissed as moot because the Veteran was paid the full amount due, with no fee ultimately paid to the attorney in question.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse was rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The right ear hearing loss did not meet a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 13, 2018.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted based on direct service connection due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The claims for PTSD rating and TDIU are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error regarding SSA disability records.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA eligibility are granted from September 4, 2019. The effective date for both benefits is set at the earliest date of receipt of his claims.