PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that her symptoms are causally related to in-service sexual assaults and intimate partner violence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, finding that his OSA was caused or aggravated by his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis is granted. The claims for higher ratings for migraine headaches, mitral valve prolapse, and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, chronic fatigue, rheumatoid arthritis, dermatitis, low back disability, and sciatic radicular pain of both lower extremities are also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD/MDD and low back disability are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings of 70 percent and 20 percent, respectively.

The Board has found the Veteran to be in need of personal care services due to his service-connected PTSD. The appeal is remanded for further adjudication, including determining if participation in PCAFC is in the Veteran's best interest and whether other criteria are met.

The appeal for service connection of multiple conditions, including PTSD with sleep disturbance and several physical injuries, was dismissed because the issues were already on appeal to the Board.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 13, 2013. The Board finds that the effective date for TDIU should be January 1, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his claimed OSA. The VA examiner did not provide an adequate opinion on whether OSA was caused or aggravated by PTSD, nor did they address the issue of toxic exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring an updated VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral shoulder pain, and headache disability, prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided that the Veteran is not eligible for PCAFC benefits due to a lack of personal care services and supervision. The case is being remanded to provide proper notification and obtain an adequate medical opinion based on the current evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on a verified in-service stressor.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless that he requires the regular aid and attendance of another person, as evidenced by his need for assistance with bathing/showering, tending to hygiene needs, eating or self-feeding, transferring in or out of a bed/chair, dressing, toileting, ambulating with his home or living area, and medication management.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not establish the factual need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status prior to December 7, 2020. The Board found that the evidence does not support that he is in need of aid and assistance from another person.

The reduction of the disability rating for PTSD from 70% to 30% was denied. The Veteran is now eligible for TDIU and DEA benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his in-service stressors during deployment to Iraq.

An earlier effective date for the assignment of a 100% rating for PTSD, persistent depressive disorders with TBI is dismissed.,As of May 25, 2023, restoration of the 70% rating for TBI, separate and distinct from the 100% rating for PTSD, is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was dismissed as the claim has been fully resolved in his favor, and there is no longer a justiciable case or controversy.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in notification and medical evaluation, as well as a need for an updated medical opinion regarding personal care services needs.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The remand includes requesting a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.