PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him incapable of securing or following substantially gainful employment at any time during the period on appeal, and thus denied his claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran's initial ratings for cervical strain, kidney stones, and Morton's neuroma were dismissed. An initial rating of 70 percent, but no higher, was granted for PTSD prior to November 18, 2019, and a higher than 70 percent rating was denied thereafter.

The Veteran appealed the proposed effective date of May 11, 2020, for his increased PTSD rating. However, this appeal was dismissed as a matter of law because the October 2020 rating decision did not contain a final agency action regarding the effective date.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for left ankle disability, PTSD rating, and TDIU. The Board dismissed these appeals as the Veteran requested their withdrawal.

The Veteran's 70% rating for PTSD is restored to July 1, 2020. The Board found the reduction improper and reinstated the original rating.

Your appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and spondylosis with myelopathy, lumbar have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that new and relevant evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors involving fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to incomplete documentation and the need for VCAA notice. The effective date of the TDIU will be from June 9, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD based on CUE was granted in full, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), and service connection for residual(s) of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as PTSD are being remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, left knee strain, and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, secondary to PTSD with obesity as an intermediate step. The decision is based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's PTSD caused his obesity and in turn led to his sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examination and failure to consider evidence of military sexual trauma (MST). A new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, while significant, did not result in total occupational and social impairment. The Board found a 70% rating to be appropriate throughout the period on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as there is no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder that conforms to the DSM-5 criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to various pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors, including inadequate medical opinions and examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD with alcohol use disorder in remission, is rated at 70 percent from February 25, 2020 to November 29, 2021. The appeal for a higher rating or TDIU prior to that date remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to November 10, 2013 is rated at 70 percent due to difficulty in social and occupational functioning, irritability, anger outbursts, and obsessional rituals.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD, which rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.,Effective September 13, 2022, the Veteran is also entitled to SMC at the housebound rate due to his combined disability rating of 90 percent without including the PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to errors in obtaining relevant medical records and VA examinations.,Specifically, the Board finds that there may be missing service treatment records from his active duty service in Southwest Asia (SWA) during the Persian Gulf War. Additionally, Reserve and National Guard medical records need to be obtained as they could provide information about the onset of his current conditions.