PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, effective September 30, 2016.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board granted earlier effective dates of March 27, 2020, for TDIU and DEA benefits but denied higher disability ratings for breast cancer residuals, breast scars, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disability, including major neurocognitive disorder, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board remands the service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, to obtain a more adequate medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, a higher initial evaluation for PTSD, and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, celiac disease with cyclic vomiting syndrome, adjustment disorder with anxiety, PTSD, and ulnar and median neuropathy of the right upper extremity as they were essentially identical to previous denials.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is granted a 70 percent rating, while the claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, left knee strain, and both lower extremity radiculopathies are denied due to failure to report for necessary VA examinations.

The Board granted a 10 percent initial rating for TBI and denied a rating greater than 70 percent prior to March 22, 2021, for PTSD.

The Board granted the restoration of a 10 percent rating for hypertension, effective July 1, 2025. The remaining claims were remanded.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and left ankle degenerative joint disease due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service stressors and medical nexus.

The Board granted an increased rating of 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from August 1, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD but granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, to include anxiety and depression.

The appeal concerning the propriety of the reduction of the disability rating for PTSD from 70 to 30 percent effective November 1, 2024, was dismissed due to a full restoration of the 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder has rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since January 29, 2019, and he is entitled to TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate effective from that date.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a disability rating of 100 percent, while other claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted an increased rating of 70 percent effective February 27, 2019, and a TDIU is also granted effective the same date.

The claims for earlier effective dates and service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were dismissed as freestanding claims are impermissible under the law. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD was remanded for further development.