PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection and initial rating of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, was granted with a 100% disability rating effective January 29, 2018. The earlier effective date for DEA eligibility is also granted.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified bipolar and related disorder. The decision is based on evidence showing a link between the appellant's current diagnosis and his service aboard submarines.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Other Specified Trauma and Stressor Disorder, is related to military sexual trauma during active service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in verifying the Veteran's claimed stressor.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted effective July 12, 2010, the date he filed his claim for service connection of PTSD with bipolar disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected PTSD with bipolar disorder and generalized anxiety disorder since then.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is related to his service due to racial harassment he experienced during military service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disabilities, but the Board is remanding for a VA oncologist to provide an opinion on whether his mesothelioma could be causally related to his service or if it contributed substantially and materially to his death.

Service connection for PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood remains in effect, rated at 30 percent. The appeal is dismissed as the full benefit sought has been granted.

Your appeal for an increased rating for posttraumatic stress disorder has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to proceed with your claim as you are no longer alive.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the June 2023 rating decision and insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's current mental health disabilities are related to his service. The Veteran needs a VA psychiatric examination to assess the nature and etiology of any current mental health disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the other issues related to PTSD and psychiatric disorders, low back disability, left knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to incomplete or inadequate evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits is denied. The effective date of July 20, 2020, was assigned due to the grant of service connection for PTSD at that time.,The Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to July 20, 2020. The effective date is tied to the award of TDIU which coincides with the initial rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions and a duty to assist error regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and multiple sclerosis (MS).

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD with major depressive disorder due to new and relevant evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and denied service connection for Depression. The Veteran's PTSD is related to his active service, while the depression symptoms are considered part of his PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, residuals of a broken nose, and hypertension do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disabilities, and the Board is remanding the case for further development to obtain an addendum opinion from a VA oncologist regarding the cause of death.

The appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for psychiatric disability is dismissed. The issue of entitlement to service connection for thoracolumbar spine disorder is remanded.

The Board has granted a TDIU and DEA benefits effective July 1, 2020, based on the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and OSA.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for PTSD and TDIU due to duty-to-assist errors, specifically regarding private treatment records.