PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2026

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error in the August 2024 VA nurse practitioner's opinion regarding whether the Veteran's OSA is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The clinician should provide an updated opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the period prior to January 9, 2025.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a higher initial rating of 50 percent from April 29, 2021. The amputation of his left leg above the knee worsened his PTSD symptoms and led to a 50 percent rating during this period.

Service connection for PTSD is granted, effective May 22, 2023.,Effective May 22, 2023, service connection for right total hip replacement and related conditions are granted.,An earlier effective date of May 22, 2023, but no earlier, is granted for the grant of service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.,Effective May 22, 2023, service connection for recurrent tinnitus is granted.,Effective May 22, 2023, service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis is granted.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of July 12, 2022 for the service connection of PTSD and a 70% rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and hearing loss disabilities have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% effective June 28, 2021. The VA also granted the Veteran an effective date of June 28, 2021 for eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a right knee scar. The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 70 percent, but no higher, effective from the date of the November 2020 rating decision.,The Veteran's ED secondary to PTSD is granted and he qualifies for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The appeal for service connection and ratings related to various conditions, including psychiatric disorders, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, foot fungus, macular degeneration, and sleep apnea has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to a duty to assist error in failing to obtain the Veteran's SSA records, which are potentially relevant to his SSDI benefits and employment status.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since November 10, 2021. The Board granted a 70 percent rating effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied in a November 2023 rating decision. The Appellant's request for Higher-Level Review of this decision was untimely and thus the appeal is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, OSA, left knee disability, and tinnitus) have rendered him unemployable, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The Board denied the appellant's appeal, finding that his character of discharge from service is a bar to VA benefits due to willful and persistent misconduct. The Board also found no compelling circumstances to mitigate this misconduct.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with unspecified depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder, is rated at 100% for the initial rating period from February 12, 2019 to May 30, 2023. Effective as of February 12, 2019, the Veteran's spouse is eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). Service connection has also been granted for headaches and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status or the need for regular aid and attendance was denied as there is no evidence of significant disabilities that would require such benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding secondary service connection for migraines. The Veteran's current migraines are being evaluated for potential aggravation by service-connected musculoskeletal conditions and psychiatric disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that he engaged in substantially gainful employment prior to November 17, 2018.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and left knee conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. As such, he is granted TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and denied service connection for Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood. The PTSD is related to a verified in-service stressor.