PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has dismissed all the issues related to increased ratings and service connection due to a withdrawal of appeal by the Veteran's attorney.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates regarding his sciatic and femoral nerve lower extremity radiculopathy.,The Board granted an effective date of July 23, 2018, for a 30 percent rating for allergic rhinitis.,The Board granted an effective date of July 23, 2018, for a 100 percent rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder, anxious distress, intermittent explosive disorder, insomnia disorder, and alcohol use disorder.,The Board granted an effective date of July 23, 2018, for a 40 percent rating for lumbar spine degenerative joint and disc disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left shoulder disorders, right shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, left ankle disorder, allergic rhinitis, and bilateral knee disorders, prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work history. The Board granted the TDIU claim based on these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has been granted an initial 70 percent rating, and he is also entitled to a TDIU.

The Board has decided that the VA did not provide adequate opinions regarding the Veteran's PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and thus remands these issues for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with unspecified alcohol related disorder is granted, effective from July 15, 2010.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU for the period between July 13, 2010 and May 31, 2011 due to service-connected PTSD and DM preventing him from obtaining gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the March 2021 rating decision did not address the correct issue and is therefore remanded for a higher-level review of the initial PTSD rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is in need of personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months due to his PTSD and COPD, which require supervision. The PCAFC eligibility determination needs to be reconsidered based on whether participation would be in the Veteran's best interest.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) and basic eligibility for Dependents Education Assistance (DEA) is granted with an effective date of May 23, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD; left shoulder disability; and right shoulder disability. The Veteran did not meet the current disability requirement or provide sufficient evidence to support a link between his military service and these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension and PTSD with alcohol use disorder (PTSD) is granted, with a 10% rating assigned from July 11, 2022. The effective date of the service connection for hypertension is set at July 11, 2022.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased rating and TDIU due to PTSD with MDD and alcohol use disorder. The AOJ is required to obtain all relevant medical records, including private mental health treatment records from the Fort Collins VA Vet Center and any private care since approximately 2019.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 14, 2015 for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD. The decision is based on the earlier date that symptoms were first documented.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, combined with other disabilities, does not meet the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding that it was a freestanding claim and not subject to reconsideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for an addendum VA opinion to address whether any currently diagnosed psychiatric disability was superimposed on a personality disorder assessed during active service and resulted in additional disability.

The Veteran's claim for a 70 percent rating for PTSD with MDD, effective November 21, 2012, is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 29, 2018 for the award of service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder is denied as there is no evidence prior to that date that may be interpreted as a formal or informal claim.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and MDD, as well as a bilateral eye disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible reports of in-service events and ongoing medical treatment.