PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent prior to November 1, 2021, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter for PTSD due to insufficient efforts to obtain private psychiatric treatment records and an inadequate medical opinion.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and chronic depression. The decision was based on the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's symptoms not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board granted an initial rating of 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with alcohol use disorder and major depressive disorder, but no higher. It also granted an initial rating of 20 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome (back disability), but no higher.

The Board granted the reopening of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and denied service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obstructive sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, to include depression and anxiety. The issues are being remanded for further development.

The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent rating for PTSD was dismissed because the veteran withdrew the appeal.

The veteran's claim for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected PTSD is granted. The Board found that the symptoms associated with the veteran's PTSD caused his sleep apnea.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury diagnosed as TBI was granted. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was remanded.

The appeal for service connection of high blood pressure is sent back to the VA for further review. The VA needs to provide a complete medical opinion on whether the veteran's hypertension is caused or aggravated by their service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss ratings but granted an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II. Service connection for stroke was granted.

The Board remanded the veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders. The Board found errors in verifying stressors and obtaining adequate medical opinions.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD and prostate cancer have been determined to prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, so he has been granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

Service connection for PTSD is denied. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD, stating that the severity of symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's PTSD alone renders him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The veteran is granted a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status.

The Board reinstated the veteran's PTSD rating to 70 percent, effective February 15, 2024.

The veteran is granted an initial rating of 50 percent for migraines. The claim for total disability due to service-connected migraines is remanded.

The veteran's PTSD rating was denied for the period before October 9, 2023, and for a higher rating after that date. The claims for headaches and lumbosacral strain were remanded for further review.

The appeal is remanded to obtain a medical opinion from a neurologist, psychiatrist, or neurosurgeon regarding whether the veteran's tension headaches are secondary to PTSD.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for PTSD was denied, but the claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an effective date prior to February 21, 2024, for service connection for PTSD. The decision was based on the lack of evidence supporting an earlier effective date.