PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to military sexual trauma experienced during her service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, claimed as PTSD, due to a lack of current diagnosis and conflicting evidence from lay statements with medical examinations and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied as he does not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU on a schedular basis, and there is no evidence to support an earlier effective date based on extraschedular considerations.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as it is at least as likely as not that the condition resulted from an assault during his military service.

The Veteran's effective date for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is set to March 11, 2021. He was granted a higher level of SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(p) at level (n).

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded as the Board cannot determine when he first became unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's PTSD rating is being remanded because it was not factually ascertainable that he met the criteria for a 100% rating within one year prior to filing his claim.

The Board has decided that the Veteran is eligible to receive past-due benefits awarded in a February 6, 2025 rating decision. However, due to an error in not documenting these past-due benefits, the case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by fleeting suicidal ideation, low chronic risk for engaging in suicidal behaviors, and low acute risk for suicidal behavior. The Board finds that the criteria for an initial 70 percent rating from January 1, 2015, for PTSD for accrued benefits purposes have been met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) due to a lack of VA examinations addressing these issues. The Veteran is also requested to provide additional details regarding her reported in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with alcohol use disorder is granted. The claims for right shoulder, left shoulder, left knee, and right ankle disabilities are remanded.

The Board has determined that the TDIU claim is not moot and has been remanded to provide information about the qualifications of examiners who conducted certain examinations, and to consider whether a single disability (PTSD) warrants TDIU and SMC.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of in-service mental health treatment records and an incomplete verification of the Veteran's claimed stressor. The Veteran is also asked to provide information about his private mental health treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% prior to March 6, 2024 and increased to 70% thereafter. The TDIU claim was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, as he is unable to dress, undress, feed himself, manage his medications, cook, clean, or drive due to his conditions. The Board granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for left knee instability, right knee instability, a mental health disorder (PTSD and GAD), and a compensable rating for lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left eye condition, left knee condition, anxiety condition, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The Veteran is granted an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for his service-connected PTSD with insomnia.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and TBI are currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that an increased rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, IBS, and knee conditions, rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU claim based on his combined rating of 80%.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal regarding the reduction of their PTSD disability rating from 70 percent to 50 percent before a decision was made. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, increased rating for left shoulder disability, and compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.