PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of March 1, 2022 for service connection of PTSD was granted. The appeal for a higher initial rating for PTSD is inextricably intertwined with the grant of the earlier effective date.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a disability rating of 70 percent, effective prior to January 26, 2022. The rating is based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to August 11, 2019 due to service-connected disabilities. Effective from August 11, 2019, the TDIU claim is granted as the Veteran already has a 100% rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from March 30, 2011 to September 25, 2018. A TDIU due solely to service-connected PTSD is granted from March 30, 2011. The Veteran is eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) from March 30, 2011. SMC benefits are granted from September 26, 2018.

The Veteran's left elbow skin graft scar was awarded an effective date of January 1, 1969. The right hip chondrocalcinosis (impaired extension) and bilateral hearing loss ratings were denied earlier than March 3, 2022. The PTSD rating remains at the maximum schedular rating.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI symptoms are manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and/or depression, finding no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD with depressive disorder from May 29, 2018 forward is denied. The earlier effective date prior to May 29, 2018 for the grant of a 50 percent disability rating is also denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to January 20, 2017 due to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depressive disorders, is granted. However, the claim for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD was granted, and implicitly denied his claim for TDIU based on the evidence of record. The effective date is not specified as it is fixed in accordance with the facts found.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms and overall impairment more nearly approximated deficiencies in most areas, but did not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment. The Board granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to military sexual trauma (MST) that occurred during her active duty service. The evidence received since the February 2019 rating decision supports this determination.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service accident, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The claims of bilateral foot plantar fasciitis, chronic left hip pain disability, chronic neck pain disability, and right shoulder disability are remanded due to a lack of VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date and a higher initial rating for PTSD with Alcohol Use Disorder was denied. The Board found no CUE in the September 2009 decision denying service connection, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for PTSD under DSM-IV at that time. For the increased rating claim, the Veteran's symptoms were rated as reducing reliability and productivity but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment due to lack of anatomical loss or permanent loss of use of a hand or foot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore service connection is denied.,The issue of entitlement to service connection for insomnia was granted as 'PTSD, claimed as insomnia,' in an August 2019 rating decision.

The Veteran's dementia, OSA, PTSD, depression, and anxiety were not incurred in or aggravated by service.,The Veteran was diagnosed with these conditions after service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral knee disability and right hip disability, as well as an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD. The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service. For PTSD, the Board found that symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher 70% rating but are consistent with a 50% rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disability and gastritis are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board found no direct service connection but also could not rule out a link based on exposure at Camp Lejeune.