PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD and alcohol use disorder due to an error in notifying the Veteran of his right to a pre-decisional hearing before the AOJ.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD has been dismissed because the AOJ implemented a previous Board decision that granted a 50 percent rating effective December 3, 2020.

The Board has determined that remand is required for several issues, including service connection for stroke and memory loss, as well as an increased rating for PTSD. The AOJ must verify the Veteran's claimed in-service exposures, obtain all relevant treatment records, and provide a medical nexus opinion regarding the nature of his disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate due to not addressing all contended stressors and secondary service connection theories. The claim is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective August 13, 2024, based on his service-connected PTSD with MDD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment during the period on appeal, so his claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent was denied.

The Veteran's earlier effective date for PTSD and MDD was granted to March 1, 2018. An earlier effective date prior to January 21, 2019, is denied due to the liberalizing law of 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(3).

The Veteran's PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, and various peripheral neuropathies have been granted increased ratings. Effective August 16, 2023, the Veteran is now eligible for a TDIU rating and DEA benefits.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective March 2, 2018, due to his service-connected disabilities including PTSD and other conditions. The decision also noted that the Veteran is currently self-employed as a truck driver.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in him needing regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for special monthly compensation at the aid and attendance rate.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder is denied as there was no prior unadjudicated claim.

The Board has dismissed the appeals to reduce disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and right ankle disabilities. The case is REMANDED for a VA examination regarding the service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to residuals of a heat stroke, claimed as memory loss. The claims for service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's appeal for SMC at the housebound rate was denied as he did not have a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent disabling, and his TDIU based on PTSD with major depressive disorder alone is not sufficient to meet the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder condition, left knee condition, lumbar spine condition (as secondary to left knee condition), right knee condition (as secondary to left knee condition), posttraumatic stress disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to service-connected disabilities with obesity as an intermediary step).,The Board found the evidence persuasive in favor of granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her PTSD and depressive disorders, including persistent major depressive episodes, is granted effective from September 30, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with adjustment disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, effective May 23, 2025. Prior to this date, the Veteran's claim was denied due to insufficient evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been dismissed as a matter of law.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has not met the criteria.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the criteria for an earlier effective date or higher rating were not met.,PTSD was granted service connection, but with a current rating of 70 percent, which is the maximum under the applicable diagnostic code.