PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2026

The Board has found a pre-decisional duty to assist error and remands the case for obtaining updated private treatment records and scheduling an updated VA examination for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD, TDIU based on PTSD, and SMC HBS was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, anxiety condition, and major depression, as well as sleep apnea. The Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are not yet evaluated by VA medical examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone prevents him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU rating. Additionally, the Veteran meets the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate due to his numerous additional disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for his 70% PTSD rating has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew the appeal, requesting instead to merge it with another appeal regarding DEA benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to errors in the duty to assist and potential errors in medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder and panic attacks, and TDIU due to lack of evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been found to be severe enough to warrant a 70 percent rating since January 31, 2018.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, effective September 26, 2023. The appellant is eligible for attorney fees from past-due benefits awarded in this decision.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of November 15, 2021 for a 70 percent rating for his service-connected PTSD. The Board found the evidence at least in equipoise that the Veteran's PTSD initially manifested as occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the reduction of his PTSD with MDD disability rating from 70 percent to 50 percent is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran also appealed for an increased disability rating for PTSD with MDD, and this appeal is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board finds that a readjudication by the AOJ is necessary.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the left knee was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence showing a current diagnosis or functional loss related to this condition.,For PTSD, the Veteran received an increased rating from 70% to 100%, effective January 17, 2025. This decision also granted initial ratings of 50% for migraine headaches and 100% for hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, which existed at the time of her separation from service, would have warranted a discharge for disability. The Board granted basic eligibility for VA home loan guaranty benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error regarding verification of the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor for PTSD. The AOJ is required to attempt to verify the stressor and obtain a new medical opinion if the stressor is verified.

The Veteran's PTSD did not result in impairment more nearly approximating deficiencies in most areas during the period of the appeal, and therefore, an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder and the proposed reduction in his left thigh impairment rating have been dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for PTSD was dismissed as no such assignment was made in the March 2020 rating decision.,The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for left and right lower extremity radiculopathies were also dismissed because these issues were not addressed in the January 2020 rating decision.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating effective November 21, 2017. Additionally, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as the evidence supports a finding that his PTSD is related to an in-service assault and witnessing of violent acts.