PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, insomnia/sleep disorder, and unspecified anxiety disorder (also claimed as anxiety, depression, and panic disorder) due to the Veteran's in-service stressful events.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70 percent to 50 percent, effective February 20, 2025. The Board finds the reduction improper and restores the 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD is related to his in-service traumatic experiences.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea was denied.,The appeal to grant an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is dismissed as final and binding.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim to reverse the July 2015 rating decision that granted service connection for PTSD effective March 31, 2015 due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE) is remanded. The Board notes that the upgrade of his discharge from Other than Honorable to General Under Honorable Conditions occurred in March 2015.

The Board has found that the Veteran meets the basic medical eligibility criteria for PCAFC benefits due to his need for personal care services based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury. However, further clinical evaluation is needed to determine if participation in the program is in the Veteran's best interest.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for PTSD, finding that total occupational and social impairment was not shown before December 4, 2024.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and multiple bilateral lower extremity disabilities require regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on this need.

The Board has granted effective dates of July 10, 2024 for service connection for PTSD, lumbar strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran was granted TDIU from May 23, 2011 to December 31, 2021 due to his service-connected PTSD. However, the claim for TDIU from January 1, 2022 to May 11, 2023 is denied.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was received on December 1, 2013. The effective date of the award is set at December 1, 2013 due to the fact that it is the earliest possible date based on the law and regulations in effect at the time.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the higher 100 percent evaluation of PTSD, including based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE), is being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% prior to June 16, 2023. Effective from June 16, 2023, the rating for PTSD has been increased to 70%. The effective date of this increase is now set as June 6, 2023.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for PTSD and a chronic cough are being remanded due to an error in providing notice of the right to a hearing before the RO.

The Board has vacated the February 2026 decision due to a scrivener's error regarding an effective date for the award of a 70 percent rating for PTSD. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating than 70 percent for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an extension of his education assistance benefits under Chapter 33 was granted, as the evidence showed he was negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and could not complete his program within the original eligibility period.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, as secondary to his already service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the cases for obtaining wage data from SSA to determine if the Veteran's earnings were above the poverty level in 2022, 2023, and 2024. The TDIU case is also being remanded due to inconsistencies regarding the Veteran's employment status.