PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinion regarding service connection for OSA as secondary to PTSD and MDD are inadequate. The matter is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety due to a lack of medical evidence linking his current psychiatric conditions to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorder is rated at 100% since May 11, 2017. The Board also found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability does not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as there was no prior claim or reasonable inference of the need for TDIU before February 2020. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of employment in a protected work environment.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to March 19, 2020, for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status is denied as he did not meet the statutory requirements at that time.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as to the issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to July 11, 2019 because the Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted effective January 17, 2016, which encompasses the entire appeal period at issue.

The Veteran's disability ratings for PTSD and lumbosacral strain were restored to their previous levels.,The Veteran's entitlement to SMC was restored based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding a proposed reduction in rating for PTSD from 100% to 70%, and the discontinuation of Dependents' Education Assistance (DEA) benefits, as these claims are not ripe for appellate consideration.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and cervical degenerative joint disease post spinal fracture were granted with effective dates of May 23, 2021. The claim for tinnitus was denied as there was no prior unadjudicated claim before February 4, 2022.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of September 2, 2019 for the award of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claim was received more than one year after the liberalizing regulation (38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(3)) took effect in July 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to February 12, 2019. The Board denied an increased rating and earlier effective date for the 100% rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further consideration of her claims, including a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% for the period prior to July 6, 2020, and 70% thereafter. The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU prior to July 6, 2020.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits are granted effective May 27, 2016. The compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral tinea pedis is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective from November 17, 2021. An effective date of November 17, 2021, for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits based on permanent and total disability status is granted. TDIU based on PTSD only is granted effective from November 3, 2023. SMC at the 's' rate starting from November 3, 2023, is also granted.

The Board has found that the evidence does not support service connection for pancreatic neoplasm or an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and potentially locate VA treatment records from before June 2018.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for sleep disturbances, PTSD, and IBS as they were filed more than a year after the last rating decision denying these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating effective April 21, 2021. The appeal for increased ratings prior to that date remains pending.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, as a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error necessitates a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection was dismissed because he withdrew his appeal, requesting to withdraw the claim while it was in appellate status.