PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's death has resulted in the dismissal of all claims due to lack of jurisdiction, as the Board does not have authority to adjudicate posthumous appeals.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI warrants an initial disability rating of 70 percent prior to August 1, 2023, and a subsequent 70 percent rating thereafter.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have contributed substantially or materially to her death, and the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression is being remanded due to the receipt of new evidence. The Board finds that this evidence relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the underlying claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in a need for regular aid and attendance. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The appeal for a special home adaptation (SHA) grant is dismissed. The remaining claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and the residuals of a stroke are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for Traumatic Brain Injury, Headaches, and Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (to include Depression and PTSD) have been dismissed. Service connection for Polysubstance Abuse / Dependence (alcohol and cannabis), secondary to his service-connected PTSD with depression, has been granted.

The Board dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates due to the appellant's death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders. The VA needs to conduct further development, including obtaining corroborated in-service stressors and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot tinea pedis, xerosis, and hyperkeratosis diffusely, as well as right foot tinea pedis, xerosis, and hyperkeratosis diffusely, were not reopened. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD was reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient verification of stressors and inadequate rationale for a VA examiner's opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable prior to November 08, 2021, and at 30 percent since that date. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) remains in dispute.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30% prior to May 10, 2019. From May 10, 2019, to July 21, 2022, the rating increased to 50%. Since July 21, 2022, the Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100%, indicating total occupational and social impairment. The appeal for a higher rating for GERD was withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is required. The issues include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, persistent depressive disorder with mild alcohol use disorder, and secondary service connection for chronic kidney disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, insomnia, and depression, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The case is now remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on housebound status and need for aid and attendance were denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for Polycythemia Vera and Migraines were reopened based on the submission of new and material evidence.

The Board denied service connection for depression as it is considered a symptom of the already service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of PTSD.,The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for a right foot disability to include as secondary to service-connected left knee strain with tendonitis with instability is remanded.