PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2025

The Board grants service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) based on the Veteran's fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during his active service.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and denied increased ratings for multiple conditions, including left ear hearing loss, cervical spine arthritis with degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar spine strain with degenerative arthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve. The Board also remanded service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and right ear hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for sciatic radiculopathy of the RIGHT lower extremity as secondary to degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, increased the rating for PTSD from 50 percent to 70 percent from September 1, 2017 to July 8, 2019, granted TDIU effective January 1, 2014, and awarded SMC based on housebound status effective September 1, 2017.

The Board granted a rating of 100 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD), as the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's symptoms most closely approximate total occupational and social impairment.

The appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was dismissed as a matter of law. The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound was granted.

The Board granted an effective date of July 13, 2020, for a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD but denied service connection for cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, right knee condition, and tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for several conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disability, hypertension, IBS, right ankle and left ankle disabilities, a right hip disability, and a low back disability. However, the Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, right knee strain, and left knee strain, as well as a 10% rating for left hip plasmacytoma limitation of extension.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and dismissed the appeals for other conditions including right shoulder disability, right ear hearing loss, left upper molar problem in service cracked root, right foot condition (claimed as inflammation to bilateral feet), left foot condition (claimed as inflammation to bilateral feet), right elbow problem with inflammation, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD, and initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a low back disability, and lipoma of the low back due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD, granted a 40% initial rating for left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and denied an increased rating for right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues, including PTSD with alcohol use disorder, allergic rhinitis, and TBI.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for PTSD, hearing loss, and asthma to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for PTSD and depression due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including incomplete VA examinations and unverified in-service stressors.

The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but did not warrant a higher 100 percent rating.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, as the December 2024 medical opinion is found inadequate and a new medical opinion should be obtained.

The Board granted secondary service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and denied increased ratings for a cervical spine disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and posttraumatic stress disorder with depression/mood disorder.

The Board remands the issue of evaluating PTSD for additional development due to a Stegall violation.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychotic condition including PTSD due to a lack of evidence supporting the claims.

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 100 percent for PTSD, other specified disorder, and major depressive disorder due to the Veteran's total occupational and social impairment.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD from August 15, 2023, but denied a higher rating. The Board also restored the 20 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss and denied an increased rating.