PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded several claims related to PTSD, shoulder conditions, COPD, and pterygium. The Veteran's service-connected conditions will need further evaluation by VA examiners.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 5, 2021, for a 100% rating for PTSD with bipolar disorder. The Board found that the increase in disability first manifested on this date and thus determined that the effective date was appropriate.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral knee disabilities due to incomplete records development, including verification of service dates and treatment records. The Veteran will need to provide authorization for private treatment records and any stressor information. A VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board found that the Veteran met the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for PTSD and his reported stressors were related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activities, which are sufficient to establish service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his claim of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with major depressive and neurocognitive disorders during the July 2, 2024 Board hearing.

Your appeal for an increased disability rating for PTSD has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The claim will not be considered further as it is no longer relevant.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD due to a lack of adequate notice regarding scheduled VA examinations. The Veteran's current left knee disability is denied as there is no evidence showing it began during active service or is otherwise related to in-service injury.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70% to 50%, but the Board restored the 70% rating effective June 19, 2020, finding that his condition had not improved under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus have prevented him from following a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with symptoms of depression and obsessive compulsive disorder personality traits is now rated at 70 percent from March 28, 2016, to the present. An earlier effective date for service connection has been denied.

The Veteran's PTSD and sleep apnea have been granted effective from May 30, 2013. The Veteran is also receiving a TDIU rating since May 18, 2015.,An increased rating for unspecified depressive disorder (previously rated as PTSD) to 70 percent has been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity for the period prior to November 25, 2020. For the period from November 25, 2020 onward, the evidence is at least in approximate balance as to whether his PTSD caused such impairment.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for cause of death, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal link between the Veteran's service-connected conditions and his death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The effective date for SMC is denied as it predates the intent to file a claim.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder was denied, as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% rating.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities not meeting the required percentage ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially granted a 50 percent rating in July 2013. In December 2018, following a September 2018 rating decision which continued the 50 percent rating, the Veteran filed a supplemental claim seeking an increased rating for his PTSD. A March 2019 rating decision maintained the 50 percent rating. In July 2019, the Veteran filed an additional supplemental claim seeking an increased rating. The August 2019 rating decision granted a 70 percent rating effective July 17, 2019.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder, opioid use disorder, and gambling use disorder is rated at 70 percent. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's lay statements and medical records will be considered in the adjudication of these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder are related to his active service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating.