PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was increased to 100% effective December 2023, but this did not result in any additional past due benefits. The appellant is therefore not entitled to direct payment of attorney fees.

The Veteran's PTSD and associated conditions are granted effective from November 15, 2024.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for depression, other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorder with alcohol use disorder, severe, and PTSD due to inadequate medical opinions provided by VA examiners.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for his PTSD disability rating and TDIU. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's treatment records from non-VA providers, which may affect these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the lack of an adequate rationale for whether the Veteran's PTSD had its onset in service or is otherwise related to service. The AOJ needs to obtain an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the adjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, specifically regarding the claimed Laos stressor. The case is being remanded to obtain an addendum VA opinion to determine if the Veteran's current PTSD symptoms are related to his in-service stressors from deployment to Laos.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent rating from April 14, 2021 to December 19, 2022. A higher rating for PTSD beyond this period and entitlement to TDIU are denied.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the April 1, 2020 rating decision was dismissed because he did not timely file a VA Form 10182 and good cause has not been shown to extend the filing deadline.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased disability ratings for posttraumatic stress disorder and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has already decided that an increased rating for PTSD with TBI is not warranted and has assigned a September 1, 2023 effective date for SMC at the housebound rate. The Veteran's appeals are dismissed as moot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD was a contributory cause of his death in March 2022, and thus service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, PTSD, right lower extremity RLS, and left lower extremity RLS on a secondary basis as they are proximately related to the Veteran's service-connected neoplasms of the male reproductive system.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 70% for the Veteran's PTSD, effective July 9, 2023. The appellant is eligible to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and an increased rating for PTSD have been denied. Service connection for CFS was not granted due to lack of a diagnosed condition, while the PTSD claim had its initial evaluation reduced from 30% to 50% effective April 29, 2024.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal of the initial rating assigned for PTSD, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee scar secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability status post knee replacement. However, the rating for PTSD remains at 30 percent and needs to be re-adjudicated due to a failure to obtain private mental health treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from November 14, 2021, to December 5, 2024. A total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU) due to a psychiatric disability alone is granted from February 21, 2022.

The Veteran's appeal to grant service connection for PTSD was not timely filed, and the request is dismissed.