PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's PTSD and GAD were rated at 70 percent effective July 14, 2020. The Board found that the disability arose after this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder, and therefore grants service connection for OSA.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the feet has been denied. The claims for aid and attendance due to PTSD, voiding dysfunction, secondary to prostate cancer with radiation burn causing internal bleeding, asthma, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been remanded. The need for a higher level of care claim has also been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) examination to determine if his kidney disability is related to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to the complexity of the issues and the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date and a higher initial rating for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment, which is required for a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective April 12, 2011. The Board found that the criteria for an earlier effective date were not met.

The Veteran's cause of death, acute intoxication, is found to be related to his service-connected PTSD. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death due to the presumption that PTSD can contribute substantially or materially to death.

The Veteran's hypertension rating was reduced from 20% to 10%, effective June 9, 2023. Ratings for hypertension prior to and after this date were denied.,The reduction of the separate 30% rating for hypothyroidism to a combined 10% rating with xerosis cutis was granted. The Veteran's PTSD rating was granted at 70%.,Ratings for CAD, aortic stenosis, diastolic dysfunction, and left atrium dilation were denied.,The Veteran's hearing loss was denied a compensable rating.

The Veteran's application for PCAFC benefits was remanded due to inadequate notice and incomplete record. The Board requested the Veteran provide authorization for VA to obtain private treatment records from Dr. J.S., a non-VA psychiatrist, related to her PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD with gambling disorder is granted effective August 1, 2019. He was also granted a temporary total evaluation due to hospitalization and an initial rating of 70 percent for his PTSD with gambling disorder. Additionally, he was granted TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder. The Veteran's mental health issues were not found to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted the appellant's appeal, finding that her character of discharge from service does not constitute a bar to VA benefits and granting service connection for various disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily PTSD and migraines, prevented him from securing and following substantial gainful employment since January 9, 2019. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability effective from that date.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral tinnitus is dismissed as the claim was fully granted on July 27, 2024.,The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for PTSD and left shoulder strain are denied. The earliest effective date for both conditions is July 27, 2024.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied. The current rating of 70 percent remains unchanged.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder strain is denied. The current rating of 20 percent remains unchanged.

The Board has found that the issues of TDIU and SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound are not moot due to the Veteran's combined 100 percent schedular evaluation. The AOJ should adjudicate these claims based on a single service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleep disorder, bilateral lower extremity disorders, plantar fasciitis, back pain, and IBS. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence of in-service incurrence or a causal link to service.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective April 7, 2021, due to service-connected PTSD and bilateral hearing loss.,Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits was also granted effective August 15, 2023.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, which is required for service connection. The claim for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as the request for an extension of time to file a Board Appeal request was not timely and good cause has not been shown.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim is also being considered for secondary service connection of his psychiatric disorder to a service-connected left knee disability.