PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Board dismissed the proposed reduction of the evaluation for service-connected PTSD from 70 percent to 50 percent, as it was not a final decision.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, is granted service connection. Service connection for cocaine use disorder, PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, and an unspecified personality disorder is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, claimed as generalized anxiety disorder, based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The AOJ must attempt to verify the Veteran's reported in-service stressors and provide an opportunity for him to respond.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for PTSD has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to April 23, 2024, have been rated at 70 percent disabling. The decision grants the claim for an increased disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD disability rating has been increased to 50% effective December 2, 2024.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in physical loss of use of one or both hands or feet, permanent impairment of vision in both eyes, severe burn injury precluding effective operation of an automobile, ALS, or ankylosis of one or both knees or one or both hips. Therefore, the Veteran does not meet the eligibility criteria for financial assistance to purchase a vehicle and adaptive equipment.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, and the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizoaffective disorder are now before the AOJ.

The Veteran's personal care needs do not meet eligibility for PCAFC benefits due to the denial of his claim. The Board has decided to remand the case for further clarification and evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hypertension, PTSD, and CHF due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the award of a 70 percent rating for PTSD and major depressive disorder, which was previously reduced to 30 percent. The Board has decided to remand this issue due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depression, dizziness, light sensitivity, liver disorder, gynecological cyst, bladder disorder, headaches, allergies, hypothyroidism, cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left winged scapula, left shoulder disorder, right winged scapula, right shoulder disorder, left knee strain, right knee strain, and left ankle sprain were all denied as there was no evidence of a service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for knee disorders, right shoulder disorder, back disorder, and PTSD due to a duty to assist error. The appellant's service records are unclear, and further efforts must be made to obtain them.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeal regarding the service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including Major Depressive Disorder and PTSD. The Board dismissed the appeal as per the Veteran's request.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD was dismissed because the appeal is improper due to concurrent election of a supplemental claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective April 1, 2021. The ratings for rhinitis and hypertension remain at 0 percent.

The Veteran's HIV is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of June 1, 2022, for a 100 percent disability rating for her acquired psychiatric condition. The effective date is based on the date she submitted her VA Form 21-8940 application for increased compensation.