PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Board denied revision of a December 2014 rating decision that denied service connection for PTSD on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) because the correct facts were before the adjudicator at the time, and the applicable statutory and regulatory provisions based on the interpretations of the law existing at the time of that decision were correctly applied. The Veteran's argument amounts to a disagreement as to how the facts were weighed.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds it does not warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds it does not warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.,The claims of service connection for a low back disability and an increased disability rating for right knee strain have been remanded by the Board.,No specific effective date provided as this is an initial decision.

The Veteran's CAD is rated at 30 percent, effective March 12, 2020. The VA also granted a TDIU from March 12, 2020 to August 20, 2022, and SMC from August 21, 2022.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted service connection as it relates to fear of hostile military activity. However, the Veteran's headaches do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU rating is denied as there was no pending unadjudicated claim at the time of his May 2019 increased rating claim for PTSD.

The Board has remanded both claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran's claim for erectile dysfunction is being remanded because the AOJ failed to consider all pertinent symptomatology, including depressive and anxiety-based symptoms, in determining whether there was a nexus between his current disability and military service. For the psychiatric disorder claim, the Board found that the AOJ committed duty-to-assist errors by primarily focusing on PTSD at the expense of other diagnoses.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 24, 2021, for the assignment of a 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's symptoms have been significant throughout the appeal period and warrant a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD, which was granted on January 6, 2022. The Board has remanded the case to obtain relevant private medical records that may support his claim.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on housebound status is denied because he does not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent, nor has he been awarded a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to a single service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded both issues for further review. The first issue is about service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and the second is about whether the appellant's discharge from service was a bar to VA benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected schizoaffective disorder with PTSD is granted a disability rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination and a need for further development, including a new psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher, due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas including work, family relations, judgment, and mood.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) based on credible evidence of a diagnosed condition, an in-service stressor, and a link between the two.

The appeal of the proposed rating reductions for PTSD and back disability is dismissed as there was no adverse action taken on the ratings.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a 100% disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disabilities, finding no factually ascertainable increase in severity within the year prior to March 15, 2004.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not met the criteria for a higher rating, with occupational and social impairment at the reduced reliability and productivity level.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to January 23, 2023, for his PTSD rating is denied. The Board finds that the Veteran did not file a VA Form 9 in response to the May 2020 Statement of the Case and therefore, the May 2020 decision is final. As such, an earlier effective date cannot be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety and depressive disorder, combined with his left hand ring finger contracture, renders him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for the cause of death and eligibility for DEA benefits due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran's daughter seeks DEA benefits based on her status as a child of the Veteran, who had multiple service-connected disabilities including PTSD and head injuries. The Board notes that prior decision did not address whether the Veteran's alcohol dependency was secondary or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.