PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms caused an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships, leading to a 70 percent rating for the condition.

The Board denied the appellant's request for attorney fees based on the May 2022 rating decision that granted an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU, but allowed fees for the increase in bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the severance of a temporary total rating for PTSD and major depressive disorder based on hospitalization from April 6 to May 1, 2016, was not proper. The Veteran's treatment during this period qualified as hospital treatment in excess of 21 days.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD, which was granted on September 28, 2011. The Board has determined that this claim should be resolved in favor of the Veteran and grants the requested effective date.,Two other claims related to TDIU and DEA benefits are also remanded due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and Major Depression render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, qualifying for TDIU.,An effective date of February 27, 2017, is granted for the award of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's disability ratings for PTSD were restored to 70 percent effective September 1, 2020. The other conditions had their ratings reduced.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in a previous rating decision, and the appeal filed on July 15, 2020 is not timely due to lack of good cause. The appeal has been dismissed.

The Board has determined that there is at least as much evidence to support the claim of service connection for OSA as secondary to PTSD, and thus grants this portion of the Veteran's appeal.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD with TBI and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) because of concurrent elections. The Veteran did not have a permanent total service-connected disability prior to April 12, 2021.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining medical records and for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The Veteran's PTSD claim results in a grant of a disability rating of 70 percent, but no more, on and after April 14, 2011, subject to the laws and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted on and after January 1, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from May 12, 2021 to May 11, 2022.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent for the entire appeal period, with no higher rating due to insufficient evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically bilateral hearing loss. The issue of an initial rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD was granted with an effective date of June 21, 2018. The diagnosis of PTSD occurred on that date.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that it does not warrant a higher rating due to lack of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,The Veteran's CFS is currently rated at 40 percent, which is appropriate given his symptoms restricting routine daily activities to 50-75% of pre-illness level without periods of incapacitation. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted as the evidence did not show nearly constant and severe impairment.,The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is currently rated at 10 percent, which is appropriate given his symptoms do not meet the criteria for more than one incapacitating episode per year or six non-incapacitating episodes per year.

The Veteran's hypertension and PTSD are granted as service-connected, with the PTSD receiving a rating of 70 percent effective from November 6, 2020.

The Veteran's PTSD, cervical strain, left upper and lower extremity radiculopathies, and tension headaches have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also assigned a 30% rating for his tension headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that there is some persuasive evidence linking the current diagnosis to in-service stressors and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to July 27, 2012, is granted with an effective date of February 29, 2012.