PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD due to a lack of current diagnosis conforming to DSM-5 criteria. The claim for service connection for Sleep Apnea is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's diagnosed disability is at least as likely as not related to his active-duty service. The issues of increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board found that the December 2007 rating decision, which assigned a noncompensable (zero percent) rating for PTSD, constituted clear and unmistakable error due to the Veteran's failure to report to scheduled VA examinations. The evidence of record at that time showed symptoms consistent with greater than a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been rated at 50 percent for the period on appeal. The rating is based on symptoms such as depression, anxiety, difficulty maintaining and establishing effective work and social relationships, anger, difficulty sleeping, nightmares, and a tendency to isolate.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of PTSD was granted with an effective date of August 18, 2016.,Eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 was also granted with an effective date of April 30, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer with kidney cancer and obstructive sleep apnea, render him unemployable. The Board is remanding the case to consider whether a TDIU on an extraschedular basis is warranted from March 4, 2021 to November 29, 2023.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining relevant medical records and verifying service stressors. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, will be reconsidered with additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in verifying two claimed stressors during service. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is now pending and will be reconsidered with the correct information.

The Veteran's claims for compensable initial ratings for left and right foot hammer toes, as well as service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disability related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in the August 2007 rating decision, but reopened and granted effective June 5, 2013. The initial disability rating of 100 percent is also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 100% evaluation effective April 26, 2019.,SMC based on housebound criteria was also granted effective April 26, 2019.

The Veteran's PTSD was previously rated at 50 percent, and the Board has now granted a 70 percent rating effective November 22, 2021.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left shoulder disability.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The Veteran's in-service stressors are linked to his current symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The decision is based on the presumption of exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam for CAD, and a positive opinion regarding an in-service stressor for PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to provide a medical examination regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD. The VA is required to schedule an examination for this purpose.

The Veteran's initial 10 percent disability ratings for left and right knee disabilities are granted.,The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the minimum compensable level of 50 percent, with no higher rating granted.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration of evidence.,The Board is unable to determine when the Veteran first became entitled to benefits as his statements regarding the onset of his conditions are inconsistent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for PTSD and Depression. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD, anxiety, and depression are rated at 70 percent effective August 2, 2017. He is also granted TDIU and SMC Housebound from that date.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum available rating. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.,For the right hip disability, prior to May 2, 2019, the Veteran was rated at 10 percent. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to limitation of extension. From May 2, 2019, he is rated as zero percent (no rating) because any compensable rating would constitute impermissible pyramiding.