PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for a medical opinion regarding the Appellant's mental state at the time of her discharge from service. The issues include determining whether she is entitled to service connection for PTSD and Schizoaffective Disorder, as well as addressing the character of her discharge.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors, including the need for updated SSA/SSDI records and employment/income information.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of post-traumatic stress disorder as secondary to military sexual trauma because the appellant requested withdrawal prior to a decision.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial disability ratings and effective dates were dismissed due to his death. The claims related to PTSD, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, right posterior iliac fracture with residuals, scar from a previous injury, lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU/DEA benefits have been dismissed without prejudice.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his vision impairment and physical conditions such as neuropathy and back pain, necessitate regular aid and attendance. The Board granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU was denied. The appellant is not eligible to the direct payment of attorney fees based on past due benefits awarded in a September 2019 rating decision because no Notice of Disagreement (NOD) was filed regarding these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records from Butler Hospital and Thundermist Health Center. An addendum opinion is also needed regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions were dismissed due to his death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial 70 percent rating for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder prior to May 18, 2022 is granted. The appeals for TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate are dismissed as moot.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, is remanded due to inadequate examination in addressing causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition was manifested by symptoms of depressed mood, chronic sleep impairment, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher 70 percent rating from July 6, 2017, to April 5, 2022, but his assigned 70 percent rating was proper from April 6, 2022.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, consisting of PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, is rated at 70 percent for the entire initial period on appeal. The evidence shows significant occupational and social impairment but not total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has restored the Veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective April 1, 2022, finding that there was not clear and convincing evidence of gainful employment for a year prior to the termination.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from January 6, 2017 due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the NOD did not express disagreement with a valid rating decision, specifically regarding an increased rating for PTSD. The Board granted a separate claim of service connection for PTSD in a previous decision.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his cause of death, which was ruled a suicide. The Board found that the Appellant's consistent reports and testimony supported this conclusion.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD is denied, and their lumbar spine disability remains at a 40 percent rating. The appeal to reopen the depressive disorder claim is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from April 15, 2020 to July 21, 2022 and denied for a higher rating.,Ratings for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee and left knee are both denied.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, back strain, allergies, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, memory loss, and PTSD) as there was no evidence of a chronic condition during active duty or that any current conditions were related to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his employment status and income during the relevant period, particularly for 2022 and 2023.