PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with MDD is granted based on a verified in-service stressor.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, MDD, cocaine use disorder, and cannabis use disorder are granted based on a verified in-service stressor. His current diagnoses of MDD, cocaine use disorder, and cannabis use disorder are found to be proximately due to his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder, is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for Graves' disease is remanded due to insufficient evidence of a direct link between the condition and her military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, spine, knee and left ankle conditions, prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of November 17, 2015. The Board also found that the earlier effective date of February 8, 2016 for TDIU should be reconsidered.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI evaluations were improperly reduced from 50% to 30% and 40% to 10%, respectively. The ratings have been restored to their original levels of 50% for PTSD and 40% for TBI, effective November 1, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, ankle sprain, hemorrhoids, foot and knee strains, bilateral hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction, prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on housebound status is part of the underlying claims for an increased rating for PTSD and entitlement to a TDIU. The Board finds that the effective date should be February 25, 2011, but not earlier.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other related conditions, has been granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The issues of secondary service connection have also been remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% since the initial rating decision, which meets the criteria for a higher rating than the initially assigned 30%. The Board found that his symptoms of anxiety and mood disturbance caused reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder and PTSD, finding that the Veteran does not have PTSD and his diagnosed adjustment disorder was not present in service or until years thereafter and is not related to any incident of service.

The Board vacated the portion of the August 15, 2023 decision denying an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent prior to October 6, 2020, and a 70 percent rating is granted beginning from that date.

The Veteran's right ear scar is not productive of characteristics of disfigurement, visible or palpable tissue loss, or gross distortion or asymmetry. The claim for a compensable rating for the right ear scar is denied.

The Board denied service connection for left hip degenerative arthritis and PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service or a current disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was granted, but the Board finds that the October 2022 VA examination used to determine this rating is inadequate and requires a new examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and a higher rating for external hemorrhoids with pruritis ani. The Board has dismissed these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, finding that the Veteran's diagnosis is supported by DSM-5 criteria and credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 11, 1984 for the award of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claim was initially filed in 1984 and denied, but reopened multiple times with new evidence supporting that his PTSD manifested during active duty.

The Board has denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his death was caused by willful misconduct (driving under the influence) and not related to any service-connected conditions.