PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is restored, and he is granted an initial rating of 70 percent. The effective date remains pending as it was not specified in the decision.

The Veteran's employment prior to July 15, 2018 was not considered substantially gainful due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board denied the TDIU claim as there were no circumstances apart from advancing age that would justify a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on the severity and frequency of his symptoms.

The Board has granted effective dates of February 16, 2020 for increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU, as well as basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). These decisions are based on the Veteran's worsening symptoms of PTSD that rendered him unable to work.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder, valvular heart disease with congestive heart failure, intraparenchymal hemorrhagic stroke of the left parietal lobe, diabetes mellitus type II, and tinnitus, render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error in not obtaining SSA records.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI residuals most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The VA awarded an increased rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's PTSD with TBI.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 6, 2014 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The decision is based on evidence showing that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to this date.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD with phencyclidine use disorder and alcohol use disorder, finding that the Veteran's claim was filed over a year after the prior denial.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The service connection claim for a back disability as secondary to his bilateral knee disabilities is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives regarding aid and attendance and SMC. Another remand is required as there has not been substantial compliance with the Board's previous remand directives.

The Veteran's PTSD alone results in unemployability, warranting a total disability rating and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate as of September 23, 2019.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of a chronic headache disability, neck disability, and increased rating greater than 20 percent for back disability. The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD with cannabis use disorder, effective April 14, 2015.

The appeal is being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence. The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for PTSD, low back strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to May 16, 2013, for service connection of PTSD and TDIU. The decision is based on the fact that the Veteran did not perfect his appeal within 60 days from the March 7, 2013 Statement of the Case.

Prior to June 18, 2021, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. As of June 18, 2021, his single service-connected disability did not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for the service-connected headaches and has found that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU based on his combined service-connected disabilities. The headaches are rated as they impact the Veteran's ability to work, while PTSD also contributes to his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's motion to revise the November 2020 RO rating decision that granted a TDIU effective October 11, 2020, on grounds of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) is dismissed because the earlier effective date was already granted in an August 2024 Board decision.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent effective October 30, 2022. The rating reflects significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's migraines are now rated at 50 percent effective December 9, 2015. The initial rating for PTSD is also 50 percent effective January 6, 2015.,Both conditions meet the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating throughout their respective appeal periods.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, and his condition was rated at 10 percent.