PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and a duty to assist error, requiring further evaluation of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis and tension headaches are rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. The Veteran's TBI-related cognitive, emotional, and behavioral dysfunction with unspecified personality disorder and cannabis use disorder is also rated at the maximum allowable.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI resulted in a 70% disability rating prior to September 15, 2025. The appeal is denied for an increased rating.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective June 10, 2020 and an SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ effective June 10, 2021. The Veteran's service-connected conditions have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since June 10, 2020.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, and the lumbar spine condition is remanded for further examination to determine if it meets or approximates an ankylosis of the spine.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision on any of the issues raised.

The Veteran's claim for eligibility to enroll in the PCAFC program is being remanded due to errors in notification and lack of a medical opinion addressing whether it is in the best interest of the Veteran to participate. The AOJ must obtain an updated medical opinion and provide proper notice.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise, and therefore grants service connection for OSA as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with AUD and cannabis dependence was granted a disability rating of 70 percent from June 10, 2021, to November 6, 2021. A total disability rating for PTSD was also granted effective June 10, 2021. Effective dates were established for TDIU and DEA based on permanent and total disability status.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 3, 2022 for a 70% disability rating for PTSD is granted. The claim for an earlier effective date than May 24, 2024 for a 30% disability rating for migraines is denied. The claim for TDIU prior to March 31, 2023 is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and insomnia, with obesity as an intermediate step. The decision is based on evidence that suggests the OSA was caused by the obesity resulting from the service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because the evidence did not show that his service-connected PTSD rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of July 12, 2022 for the award of a 70 percent disability evaluation for PTSD. The Veteran's claim was continuously pursued and his symptoms supported this rating throughout the period on review.

The Veteran's request for a higher-level review of the November 2019 rating decision denying PTSD was not timely filed, and therefore denied.

The appeal for an earlier effective date of November 10, 2005, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is dismissed. The appeal for SMC benefits based on housebound or need of aid and attendance is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for PTSD, TDIU, and SMC based on housebound status was denied.,The Board found that the evidence did not support finding that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD resulted in total occupational and social impairment prior to July 22, 2024.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of PTSD is dismissed due to concurrent election of review options. The issues of individual unemployability, Dependents' Educational Assistance, and special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria are remanded.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35.,The Board denied both claims, finding that March 13, 2018 is the earliest possible effective date for TDIU due to the Veteran meeting the schedular criteria at that time, and also as the date service connection was granted for PTSD.

Your claim for service connection for PTSD has been resolved by a full and complete grant of the benefit sought. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment.