PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress is rated at a 50 percent disability rating, but the Board has granted an initial 70 percent disability rating based on more severe symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted a 50% rating, and his peripheral vestibular disorder (vertigo) is granted. The appeal for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased disability ratings are denied as there is no factually ascertainable increase in the disabilities within the one-year look back period.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder, moderate, with anxious distress, and alcohol use disorder is denied. The issues of entitlement to service connection for complex regional pain syndrome, left 4th digit, left 5th digit, right 4th digit, and right 5th digit are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an addendum VA examination to assess his PTSD with major depressive disorder prior to April 24, 2023. The examiner must consider the May 2019 Medical Treatment Record and lay statements provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was initially denied in an August 2013 rating decision, which was a provisional decision without appeal rights. The Veteran did not submit a signed statement within the one-year period and no final decision with appellate rights was issued until June 2015. A CUE motion filed in December 2024 is dismissed as the original August 2013 rating decision never became final due to VA's failure to notify the appellant of their right to appeal.

The Veteran's eligibility for Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits expired on October 12, 2023. The Board granted an extension of the delimiting date due to medical infeasibility caused by his service-connected conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of these conditions in accordance with DSM-5 criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with other service-connected disabilities, has been found to warrant a TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate effective October 18, 2023.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but his PTSD claim for service connection is denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a psychiatric disability other than PTSD.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability of chronic fatigue syndrome and concluded that the Veteran's symptoms are better explained by her service-connected PTSD. Therefore, service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain and PTSD. The claims for left foot disability (toenail fungus) and right foot disability (toenail fungus) are remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, effective from January 18, 2013. The Veteran also receives an effective date of January 18, 2013 for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action on the issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, finding that the Veteran's in-service military sexual trauma events are credible and supported her current psychiatric diagnoses.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the severance of service connection for PTSD was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder and headaches, claimed as TBI symptoms have resulted in the inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance was granted effective October 13, 2023. The Board finds that continuous pursuit of the claim since September 7, 2021, warrants an earlier effective date of September 7, 2021.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder have not met the criteria for a higher rating from May 16, 2015 to present. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for knee disabilities and TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives regarding the severity of the Veteran's PTSD and related psychiatric disorders for the period prior to January 13, 2020.