PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2026

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient notice under 38 U.S.C. § 5104 and inadequate clinical eligibility assessment, requiring further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran requires personal care services due to his psychiatric, musculoskeletal, and neurological disorders for at least six continuous months. The appeal is remanded to determine if it is in the best interest of the Veteran to participate in the PCAFC program.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of aid and attendance, as he requires assistance with activities such as bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, medication management, and housekeeping/laundry due to his TBI, PTSD, OSA, headaches, lumbar spine disability, arthritis, and severe chronic back pain. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to duty-to-assist errors and a need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use in remission was denied. The current assigned rating of 50% is not considered sufficient, as the evidence does not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's appeal for a temporary total evaluation of 100 percent based on hospitalization for insomnia and a 100 percent rating for PTSD with insomnia was denied because the appeal was not filed within one year from the October 30, 2019 decision. The Veteran did not provide sufficient good cause to extend the filing deadline.

The Veteran's PTSD and Adjustment Disorder have been granted service connection with an effective date of September 22, 2022. A TDIU has also been granted. The initial rating for PTSD remains remanded as the AOJ must assign a disability rating in the first instance.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety. The Veteran's diagnoses are PTSD and anxiety, and he provided stressor statements during his service in Greenland. However, a VA examination or medical opinion is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD, persistent depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder have been granted an initial 100 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically regarding missing VA treatment records and authorization for private provider records. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his ability to independently ambulate without aids.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, substance abuse disorders, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD prior to February 1, 2020 and from February 1, 2020 have been dismissed as the March 2023 rating decision granted a 100% disability rating effective April 1, 2011.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder with alcohol use disorder and stimulant use disorder is rated at 70 percent effective August 19, 2021.

The Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is found to be the result of obesity caused by her service-connected PTSD, with alcohol abuse. The Board granted service connection for OSA as secondary to service-connected PTSD, with alcohol abuse.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD have been rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the appeal (April 22, 2024), due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's shin splints, GERD, iron deficiency or anemia, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder claims are being REMANDED due to the Veteran not reporting for scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The Board finds that December 5, 2022, when the Veteran filed his intent to file a claim, is the correct date for the award of service connection for PTSD. For the initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, the Veteran's symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and migraines are remanded due to a pre-decisional duty assist error. A VA examination is needed to address the relationship between his claimed conditions and active duty service.