PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining qualifications of VA examiners who examined him throughout the course of the appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to alleged asbestos exposure and other medical conditions, including allergic rhinitis, sleep disorder, left wrist condition, sinusitis, and gastrointestinal issues. The VA must obtain adequate examinations and opinions regarding these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical addendum opinion to determine the severity of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for tinnitus as it was granted in a previous decision. The issue of readjudication for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to new and relevant evidence being received.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD is denied as the first medical evidence of a PTSD diagnosis and related symptoms was in May 2022, which would be the earliest date that entitlement arose.

The Veteran was granted an extension of her delimiting date for Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits, allowing her to continue receiving benefits until June 21, 2020. The decision is based on evidence showing she was prevented from pursuing a program of education due to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to August 12, 2020, for the 100 percent disability rating for PTSD and trichotillomania with anxiety and alcohol use disorder in early full remission is denied. The Board found that no factually ascertainable increase in disability occurred before August 12, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 50 percent for OSA is denied. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% disability rating for service-connected acquired psychiatric disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed because his August 2024 Notice of Disagreement (NOD) was a prohibited concurrent election with his July 2024 supplemental claim seeking review by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new examination is needed to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to the Appellant's military service.

The Veteran's service-connected Posttraumatic Stress Disorder does not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, as he left his last job due to a stroke and related health issues.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Unspecified Anxiety Disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to military sexual trauma and personal assault during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's reported stressors and an inadequate medical opinion. The AOJ is instructed to verify the stressor event and schedule a VA examination for further evaluation of the acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and TBI residuals have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 30 percent for PTSD or 10 percent for TBI residuals.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the Board found that no earlier effective date could be assigned due to failure to continuously pursue the claim within one year of the decision on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for PTSD was denied, and his TDIU claim has been rendered moot due to the combined schedular disability rating of 100 percent. His DEA benefits were also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain medical records from March 2022 through May 2022.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased rating for PTSD was granted, with a 100% disability rating assigned for the left ankle disability. The attorney is eligible to receive fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the August 2020 rating decision.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective August 2, 2019, as he was unable to secure substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected PTSD.