PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and nontuberculous mycobacterium disability are granted as service connected. The Board found that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service, and also concluded that he was exposed to herbicides during service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for asthma, vertigo, bruxism, lower back condition, migraines, PTSD (to include depression, somatic system disorder), GERD, and sleep apnea due to a duty to assist error in obtaining service treatment records.

Service connection for IBS is granted. The claims for initial increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee meniscal tear, and PTSD are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a 50 percent initial rating for PTSD was granted, effective August 9, 2017. The Board found that the date entitlement to service connection for PTSD arose is August 9, 2017.

The Veteran's eligibility for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is being remanded due to a lack of determination on whether it is in his best interest. The Board found that he has been in need of personal care services for at least six continuous months based on his psychiatric and physical disorders, but further evaluation is needed to determine if participation in the PCAFC program would be in his best interest.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and left knee disability have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the VA decision denying enrollment in the PCAFC program was not based on a proper application of the law and regulations, specifically regarding the definition of 'supervision, protection, or instruction' under 38 C.F.R. § 71.15. The Board therefore remands the case for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective July 22, 2008. The appeal for an increased rating has been denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to cause total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board denied the claim for TDIU, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder is rated at 100 percent effective from August 10, 2021. She also receives SMC pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114 (s) during the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right knee strain are found to be related to service, while the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, and insomnia) is remanded due to a lack of a VA examination. The claim for migraines is also remanded.,The Veteran's right knee strain and tinnitus are granted service connection, while the acquired psychiatric condition and migraines claims require further development.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for GERD is denied as there was no evidence of symptomatology warranting such a rating prior to May 19, 2024.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD is denied as the record does not show worsening symptoms within one year before December 31, 2021.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower and upper extremities are denied as there was no evidence of such conditions within a year prior to December 31, 2021.,There is no effective date earlier than December 31, 2021, for any of these claims.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected TBI, finding that the most probative evidence showed no more than a level one (1) of impairment in each of the cognitive facets associated with TBI.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD and major depressive disorder prior to November 26, 2018. The remaining issues of increased ratings for the right knee and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs further examination to determine the current severity of his PTSD, including whether he reported symptoms of panic attacks.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary alcohol use is granted a rating of 70 percent, effective January 5, 2016, prior to February 13, 2020. The appeal for a higher rating from February 13, 2020, remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD remains pending and requires further development to verify the stressors reported during service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, left knee, right ankle, kidney, and heart disabilities are remanded for additional medical opinions.,No specific exposure basis is provided in this decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate VA opinions. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and hypertension are all being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The assigned evaluations for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral knee meniscal tears with degenerative arthritis (limitation of flexion), right knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis, bilateral knee meniscal tears with degenerative arthritis (limitation of extension), residuals of cold injury of the bilateral hands with multi-joint disease and paresthesias, and posttraumatic stress disorder were all denied.,For PTSD, the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date was granted but his evaluation remained at 50 percent disabling prior to March 14, 2025, and increased to 70 percent thereafter.