PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected PTSD with obesity acting as an intermediate step.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% effective January 6, 2016 and his TDIU is effective November 12, 2021.

The reduction of the Veteran's PTSD rating from 100% to 70% was improper, and his rating is restored to 100%. From July 1, 2022, he is also entitled to SMC at the housebound rate.,The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and TBI has been rated as 100%, but additional service-connected disabilities are independently ratable at least 60% from July 1, 2022.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, finding that her symptoms are more likely than not attributable to service.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Major Depressive Disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service stressor involving a SCUD missile attack during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board remands the matter for further development, including verification of an in-service stressor and obtaining a medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder is related to his service.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from February 2, 2013, to October 10, 2018, due to his service-connected disabilities rendering him incapable of substantial gainful employment.

The Veteran's initial increased rating claim for PTSD with neurocognitive disorder was denied prior to January 19, 2017.,The Veteran's initial increased rating claim for ischemic heart disease associated with herbicide exposure was also denied prior to January 20, 2017.

The reduction from 100 percent to 70 percent for service-connected PTSD, effective November 1, 2018, was improper. The Veteran's appeal is granted and the prior 100 percent rating is restored.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to September 14, 2021 and denied an increased rating.,The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent from September 14, 2021 and denied an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, arose during or as a result of his active military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is in need of personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months due to his medical conditions and needs supervision, protection, and instruction. The PCAFC eligibility decision must be reconsidered based on the best interest of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD and vertigo symptoms have been granted an increased rating of 70 percent, effective from August 27, 2021. The decision also dismissed the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU) as moot.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent disability rating, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for obtaining additional VA treatment records and addressing issues related to PTSD and TDIU prior to March 14, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 4, 1978 for the award of service connection for PTSD with alcohol use disorder is granted. The appeal regarding a rating in excess of 100 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder and TBI is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, resulting in a rating of 70 percent for PTSD as of May 4, 2020. The issue of entitlement to TDIU was also raised.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings of his service-connected sleep apnea disorder, lumbar spine disability, and PTSD have been denied as there was no increase in severity prior to July 7, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of right foot fracture, 3rd metatarsal, mid-shaft are granted with a 20% rating effective December 17, 2015. Service connection is also granted for lumbar disc herniation and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service documentation and a need for verification of the Veteran's periods of active duty, active duty for training, and inactive duty for training with both the Minnesota Army National Guard and the Florida Army National Guard.