PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent effective April 21, 2023. The Board found that the symptoms of anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, depressed mood, difficulty in establishing and maintaining work relationships, disturbances of motivation and mood, flattened affect, mild memory loss, occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, panic attacks more than once a week, and suspiciousness have been present throughout the appeal period. The Board also noted that the Veteran has experienced suicidal ideation, but this does not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating due to lack of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran also sought TDIU based on his PTSD and diabetes mellitus type II (DMII), but the Board found that he could still secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to the failure to report for a scheduled VA examination. The Board finds that good cause has been shown and a new examination is required.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service personal assault/military sexual trauma (MST).

The Board has denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder, eye disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, GAD, MDD). The case is being remanded to obtain verification of in-service stressors and to provide appropriate examinations.,Service connection will be considered if the Veteran's current condition is found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is partially granted with a 50 percent rating for PTSD. The claims of service connection for a skin disability and gastrointestinal disability are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ventral wrist scar and PTSD due to a lack of service treatment records and conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD was reopened due to new and relevant evidence. The Board found that the Veteran has PTSD related to his military service, thus granting the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, effective May 21, 2013. The claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance is denied due to lack of evidence showing that the Veteran requires regular aid and assistance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, consistent with DSM-V criteria. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent since December 18, 2017. The TDIU claim is dismissed as the Veteran now has a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent. SMC at the housebound rate is granted effective from December 18, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss (BHL) has been dismissed as he did not submit a proper supplemental claim to reopen the previously denied claim.,An initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is denied. The Veteran's PTSD results in reduced reliability and productivity but does not manifest in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted an initial 100 percent rating, while the GERD issue remains remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression/anxiety, was rated at 50% prior to January 21, 2010. The VA granted a TDIU based on the service-connected disabilities, effective from July 26, 2006.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of May 8, 2019, for his TDIU award due to lack of factual support for unemployability prior to that date.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of his application for service connection.,The Veteran is also granted entitlement to TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that there were pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors and remands the claims for service connection for PTSD and Major Neurocognitive Disorder due to Dementia. Additional development is required, including obtaining addendum opinions from VA providers.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50 percent disability rating, effective throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder (claimed as PTSD) is denied. The evidence does not show occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, which would warrant a higher rating.