PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bronchitis, and tinnitus, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of March 30, 2017. The Board granted an effective date for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) from that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, a left knee injury, and a low back disability have been granted. The Board found that the evidence supported these claims based on in-service events and continuous symptoms since separation.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI was rated at 70 percent, and post-traumatic headaches were not rated higher than 0 percent. The appeal for a higher rating was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD was granted with an effective date of April 15, 2015. The prior denial of the claim was due to lack of evidence showing a clinically diagnosed condition of PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand all issues on appeal due to the need for additional VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being returned for further review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability has been dismissed as the Regional Office already granted it in a previous decision.,Service connection for residual(s) of a right hip injury and left hip injury is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's diagnosed mental disorders are related to service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied. The appeal for TDIU is considered moot as the Veteran was previously awarded SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114 (s).

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, headaches, dizziness, weakness, and loss of sleep associated with PTSD and TBI, left little finger disability, left index finger disability, and left long finger disability are denied as the earliest effective date is July 21, 2023.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for TMJ from noncompensable to 10 percent prior to July 21, 2023 is also denied.

The Veteran's need for the regular aid and attendance of another due to service-connected residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is granted from February 21, 2014.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to revise a final December 2006 rating decision denying service connection for PTSD based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE). The effective date of this revision is not specified, but it grants the earlier effective date sought by the Veteran.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective November 17, 2022. The Veteran's attorney is eligible for 20% of the past-due benefits awarded in the March 2023 rating decision due to filing a valid fee agreement and representing the Veteran on his increased PTSD and GERD claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and his low back disability is rated at 40 percent. The other conditions are not granted initial ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of his psychiatric disability was denied, as the evidence does not support total occupational and social impairment.,SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound is also denied due to lack of substantial confinement or need for regular assistance.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, including claims for military sexual trauma and anxiety. The Veteran's symptoms are linked to her in-service assault.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board denied a finding of single-issue Total Disability due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since May 14, 2010. The Board found that the severity of his symptoms did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment for any rating period.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is dismissed due to the untimely filing of the January 2020 substantive appeal. The Board waived the timeliness issue and will address the claim under the legacy appeal system.