PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for a 100 percent rating for PTSD prior to March 4, 2022 is being remanded due to the failure to obtain VA treatment records from December 2020 to February 2022 and provide notice of her right to a pre-decisional hearing.

The Board has determined that the appellant's character of discharge does not constitute a bar to VA benefits due to evidence showing he was insane at the time of his misconduct.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for pancreatitis and a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and substance abuse have been dismissed due to the withdrawal by the accredited representative.

The Veteran's unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder (claimed as PTSD) was found to cause occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total impairment. The Board denied a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the appellant's character of discharge was not a bar to VA benefits due to insanity at the time of misconduct, and thus granted his appeal for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of PTSD, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, previously claimed as depression, is granted service connection. Service connection for tinnitus and PTSD are denied due to lack of evidence meeting the criteria for these conditions. The lower back disability claim is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal seeking an increased rating for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and combined it with his already-service connected Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was dismissed as the July 19, 2018, decision that granted service connection for TBI and combined it with PTSD is subsumed by a later January 16, 2024, Board decision that granted a 70 percent rating for both conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70% to 50%, effective April 5, 2022. The reduction is being restored due to the lack of evidence showing improvement in her ability to function under ordinary conditions. For the lumbosacral strain claim, a remand is required as the VA examination did not adequately assess the Veteran's flare-ups.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and panic disorder, is granted effective from May 30, 1968.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70% since November 8, 2013. The rating was increased to 100% effective March 1, 2014.,Effective November 8, 2013, the Veteran is eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the pending appeal of his service connection claims. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered once the service connection claims are resolved.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia and PTSD, finding that his conditions were aggravated by military service. The claim for PTSD was denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's PTSD was denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor, and the current disability does not meet the criteria for service connection.,The Veteran's right eye injury claim was denied due to a lack of verified in-service event or injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in September 2008, but new and material evidence from VA treatment records received within one year of the decision has been added to her claims file. The Board finds this evidence is material as it relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate her claim - her psychiatric symptoms during service.,The Veteran's effective date for service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder is set at October 23, 2007, the day after she separated from active duty. The Board found that new and material evidence was submitted within one year of the September 2008 denial.

The Veteran's left knee instability is granted a separate 10 percent disability rating from June 27, 2018 to January 24, 2021.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as he is currently employed and his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, unspecified insomnia disorder, alcohol abuse, obstructive sleep apnea, basal cell carcinoma, tinnitus, GERD, bilateral hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claim of service connection for a LEFT shoulder disorder and cervical spine disorder, as well as the denial of SMC at the K-rate on account of 'loss of use' of the LEFT foot.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding development of claims for increased ratings for PTSD and CAD. The remand may affect the consideration of SMC based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of in excess of 50 percent is not warranted based on the evidence of record.