PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's initial claim for tension headaches was denied. His PTSD remains at a 50% rating, but the case is remanded regarding obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance of another, nor did they qualify for SMC based on housebound status prior to February 9, 2021. The Board found the evidence insufficient to establish that the Veteran required assistance with daily activities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates in a May 2024 Board hearing, effectively dismissing all related issues.

The Board has granted service connection for treatment purposes only under Chapter 17 for a psychotic disability, finding new and relevant evidence since the June 2020 rating decision. Service connection was also granted for neck and back scars in January 2021, rendering this appeal moot.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant, and he is therefore denied these benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective June 30, 2008. He also received TDIU and SMC for the specified periods.

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential errors in development and examination, as well as a need to confirm the stressor reported by the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating from March 24, 2015 to September 15, 2016.,From September 15, 2016, the Veteran received a 100 percent rating for her PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting findings regarding whether the Veteran currently has a diagnosis of PTSD. The claim will be reconsidered with an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 18, 2019, for a grant of a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD is denied. The Board found that there was no factually ascertainable increase in severity within one year of the application.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran has a current alcohol abuse disability and its relationship to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his PTSD, finding that it more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas (50 percent), but not total occupational and social impairment. The Veteran was rated at 70 percent since October 14, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea due to duty-to-assist errors, as well as the need to verify the Veteran's service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his current psychiatric disorders and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of December 28, 2016. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is December 28, 2016, and denied a request for an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD and left knee disorder due to a failure to provide a VA examination in accordance with the duty to assist. The Veteran is not entitled to a presumption-based service connection, as no exposure basis was provided.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted with an effective date of November 13, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache, PTSD, and right hip condition have been dismissed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot condition has been granted with a 30% rating. Other issues remain on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as the disability is already at its maximum schedular rating.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because there is no current evidence of a hearing loss disability under VA regulations.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety, is denied due to lack of a diagnosed current disability conforming to the DSM-5 criteria.,Service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is denied as the condition is less likely than not related to active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only. The claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance was also denied as there was no evidence of needing regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of an examination and medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and migraine headaches. The AOJ is required to provide these examinations and opinions.