PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, higher ratings for heart disease and PTSD, and TDIU was denied. The Board found no evidence of current COPD or a relationship to service. For the heart condition, the rating criteria were not met as there was no evidence of congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction less than 30 percent.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates and TDIU due to the Veteran's death, as it does not have jurisdiction over these matters.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, due to a bar incident during his military service where he was found guilty of willful misconduct and alcohol abuse.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to March 25, 2019 was denied as there is no evidence showing he could not secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions prior to that date.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and right shoulder disability rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from March 9, 2011, to March 20, 2020.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for PTSD and MDD as the appellant withdrew all his appeals prior to a decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, specifically PTSD and depression. The VA is instructed to obtain a new opinion from a psychiatrist or psychologist to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100 percent rating effective December 18, 2018. The earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) is also granted. However, the issue of entitlement to an earlier effective date for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot due to the Veteran's current receipt of a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD with secondary polysubstance use disorder are related to his military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has denied a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, but has remanded the issues related to service connection and TDIU.

The appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to any decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder were evaluated at a 50 percent rating from September 27, 2012, to December 5, 2019. The Board denied an increased rating beyond this period.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits are granted effective October 31, 2018. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his PTSD as of the year prior to his application for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD, left ankle disability (based on limitation of motion and pain), and migraines are all service-connected. However, the Veteran does not receive a higher initial rating for his PTSD or left ankle disability based on limitation of motion and pain. A separate 10% rating is granted for left ankle instability. The Veteran's initial rating for migraines remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% disability rating for TBI and PTSD is denied. The Board found that the April 2014 rating decision became final due to lack of timely appeal, and there was no evidence showing an increase in disability within one year prior to July 31, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for a 100% evaluation for PTSD with TBI is denied, as the evidence does not show that his service-connected PTSD was 100% disabling within one year prior to December 8, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD but is remanding the issue of service connection for a right lung nodule due to an inadequate VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for all the listed conditions, and the Board has dismissed them.

The Board finds that the Veteran's June 2017 VA Form 9 substantive appeal was timely filed, and as a result, the underlying claims under the legacy system must be reinstated. The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. Ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left foot hallux valgus are denied.