PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a bilateral foot disorder due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's appeal of the effective dates for his TDIU and DEA benefits is remanded due to ambiguity in the record regarding his work history from January 2004 to July 2011. The Veteran should be asked to provide clarification regarding his employment during this period, including reasons for stopping work.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI with secondary mild ataxia and subjective tinnitus are rated at 70 percent, effective from April 1, 2016. The Veteran is also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability for the appeal period prior to January 8, 2019.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to a rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD and depression, as well as entitlement to a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran's claims must be remanded due to lack of recent VA treatment records and need for an updated VA examination.

The Board has restored entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits, as the Veteran's TDIU was improperly severed.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and he appeals for a higher rating or TDIU. The case has been remanded due to non-compliance with previous Board directives.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, tinnitus is granted service connection, and TDIU is granted. The compensable rating for nasopharynx bleed appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of his service-connected PTSD, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, and alcohol use disorder was granted. He is now rated at 70 percent effective from January 31, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for a depressive disorder, an anxiety disorder, and PTSD due to military sexual trauma incurred during active service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his right thigh condition and scar of the right thigh has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right thigh disability has been withdrawn.,Service connection for a left eye disability is denied as there is no current diagnosis.,Service connection for a right shoulder disability is denied due to lack of causal relationship with in-service events or injuries.,Service connection for a back disability is remanded as the VA examiner's opinion was based on inaccurate facts.,Service connection for a right hip disability is remanded as there is no current diagnosis and the VA examiner did not diagnose the condition.,Service connection for a jaw disability (secondary to PTSD) is remanded due to lack of causal relationship with in-service events or injuries.,Service connection for headaches (secondary to PTSD) is remanded due to lack of causal relationship with in-service events or injuries.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 17, 2013. The Board found the evidence approximately evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's PTSD caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, thinking, and mood.

The Veteran's acquired mental health disability (PTSD) is granted, and her left knee strain condition receives a compensable rating of 10 percent. The service connection for PTSD was reopened based on new evidence, while the other issues remain pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury, and service connection for this condition is granted. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and headaches are remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing their etiology.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral flat feet, right knee disability, right hip disability, fibromyalgia, lupus, and PTSD due to a lack of in-service events or injuries that could be linked to these conditions.

An effective date of October 18, 2016 is granted for the grant of a 70 percent rating for PTSD and TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 100 percent rating from July 21, 2014. The appeal for an earlier effective date for the PTSD rating has been dismissed as the grant of a 100 percent rating moots this issue.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD is dismissed as the claim has been granted and full benefits have been awarded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent from January 31, 2018 due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for an examination and opinion regarding his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claim is reopened due to new evidence, but verification of the in-service stressor event remains a hurdle.