PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal seeking an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD with panic attacks is dismissed as her request was granted in a March 2024 rating decision.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD and has also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due solely to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cause of death is related to his service-connected conditions and presumed exposure to herbicide agents while stationed in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of February 20, 2020. The Board found that the Veteran has continuously pursued her claim since June 8, 2017, and thus grants a retroactive effective date to June 8, 2017.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD, finding that the evidence does not show symptoms more severe than those currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, as there is no persuasive evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric condition related to military service.

The appeal to reduce the disability rating for PTSD from 70% to 50% was dismissed because the March 2020 decision was not an appealable final decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of medical opinion addressing the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric conditions, specifically PTSD and unspecified anxiety disorder with sleep disturbances. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder is rated at 70 percent prior to April 2, 2020. The appeal for a higher rating has been granted. A finding of TDIU based solely on the service-connected conditions has also been granted. Additionally, special monthly compensation due to housebound status was awarded.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of service-connected head injury trauma and PTSD, as well as entitlement to special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, major depressive disorder, and PTSD. The decision is based on inadequate VA examination(s) and a need for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's hernia repair residuals rating was restored to 60 percent, effective September 1, 2020. The Veteran's PTSD rating remains at 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the Board has remanded his service connection claim for TBI. Effective October 14, 2015, he received a TDIU rating and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Veteran's residuals of right pneumothorax with mild restrictive lung disease, currently rated at 0 percent disabling, is continued.,The criteria for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent rating for PTSD and traumatic brain injury prior to January 17, 2019, are not met.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of TBI have been found to necessitate a higher level of aid and attendance, warranting SMC(t) from January 6, 2015.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of October 10, 2019 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claim was submitted on October 8, 2020, within one year of his intent to file.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to insufficient employment information provided by the AOJ. The Board requests updated employment information from all identified employers.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability evaluation for PTSD with major depressive disorder was granted, effective July 1, 2019. The TDIU issue is considered moot as the Veteran's condition now meets the criteria for a total disability rating.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU have been dismissed as the March 2021 decision granted these benefits.