PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension, lumbar spine condition, and PTSD are granted. The hypertension is granted as directly related to military service based on toxic exposure risk activity in Southwest Asia Theater of Operations. The lumbar spine condition is granted due to the Veteran's combat service. The PTSD is granted with a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus II, congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction associated with PTSD, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the entire appeal period. The Board granted his TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of May 20, 1987 for the award of service connection for PTSD with depression is granted. The Board also remanded the issues of entitlement to a higher initial rating for PTSD and TDIU.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with depression, is granted service connection. However, his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA eligibility are granted effective April 2, 2025.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is rated at 50% disabling. The claim for a higher rating is denied as there is no evidence of chronic respiratory failure or cor pulmonale requiring tracheostomy.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) prior to December 5, 2016 has been dismissed as moot because the Veteran has already been assigned earlier effective dates.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder. The claims for discoid lupus, malabsorption disorder, Sjogren's syndrome, and low back disability are remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there is no evidence of chronic in-service injury or disease and no established continuity of symptomatology. The VA examiner opined that the current back disability is less likely than not incurred in service.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression), finding a pre-decisional duty to assist error due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is eligible for benefits under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) due to his need for personal care services, and this eligibility will be advanced to the next step in the process.

The Veteran's appeal of the July 2020 rating decision that denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD is dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder because the appellant requested to withdraw the appeal before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and incomplete evidence. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, psychiatric disabilities, hypertension, cardiovascular disability, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral hearing loss are all being reviewed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU based on her service-connected PTSD, finding that her disability precludes her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) has been granted, effective January 30, 2022. As the full benefit sought is now granted, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and alcohol use disorder have prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since September 23, 2013. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board found that the Appellant's discharge from service on November 19, 1973, under Other Than Honorable (OTH) conditions was due to unauthorized absence for a continuous period of at least 180 days. This constitutes a regulatory bar to VA compensation and health benefits.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted effective October 19, 2022.,The Veteran's claim for prostate cancer associated with herbicide exposure was denied as it is not earlier than December 30, 2024.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not more closely approximated total occupational and social impairment, resulting in a denial of the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including insomnia, is granted. The respiratory and eye conditions are remanded for further evaluation.