PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the appropriate rating for PTSD and whether the Veteran should be granted TDIU prior to October 19, 2021. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, but the claim for TDIU due to service-connected PTSD is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, back condition, left hip arthritis with strain, right ankle and left ankle. The Veteran's mental health conditions are being reviewed due to a lack of probative weight in the October 2019 VA examination, while his back and ankle conditions require clarification regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation for the period on review.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded two issues: entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for a left knee disability, status post left knee arthroplasty; and entitlement to service connection for a left hip disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left knee condition and an increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support the Veteran's claims, particularly regarding his claimed onset of symptoms during active service.

The appeal for service connection for PTSD is dismissed as the Veteran's claim has been fully granted. The appeals for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, left shoulder strain, and a left knee condition are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on her symptoms.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder from 70% to 70%, finding that the reduction was not proper due to a lack of improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of PTSD and sleep apnea are remanded due to incomplete personnel records and the need to substantiate exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 10, 2019 for the grant of a 100% rating for service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's symptoms were present one year prior to VA receiving his ItF on February 10, 2020.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms and overall impairment more nearly approximated deficiencies in most areas but have not more nearly approximated total occupational and social impairment at any point during the appeal period, warranting an initial disability rating of 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and character of discharge due to a lack of medical opinion on insanity at the time of misconduct.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service stressors or a link between current symptoms and active duty service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to July 12, 2022, for PTSD with alcohol use disorder and a rating in excess of 70 percent on and after July 12, 2022. An effective date prior to July 12, 2022, for the award of a 70 percent rating was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his combat service in Iraq and grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD is granted, with the earliest possible effective date being March 22, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date prior to January 16, 2008, for grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The earliest effective date for the Veteran's grant of service connection for PTSD is January 16, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU based solely on his service-connected PTSD is dismissed as moot because he was already receiving SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to other disabilities, which precludes awarding SMC at the housebound rate.