PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's acquired mental health condition, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is related to his experiences with threats he experienced during service. The appeal for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, and Depression have been denied. The appeal for a compensable evaluation for sinusitis has been dismissed due to the AOJ's deferred decision. The appeal for service connection for vertigo is remanded as it may be related to hypertension. The appeal for an evaluation greater than 20 percent for cervical strain is also remanded. The appeal for service connection for insomnia is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in duty to assist and insufficient opinions regarding service connection for OSA secondary to PTSD, with obesity as an intermediate step. The AOJ is instructed to obtain addendum opinions addressing these issues.

The Veteran's service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder is granted due to the aggravation of pre-existing conditions during his active duty.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional VA community care treatment records related to the Veteran's PTSD from July 19, 2021. The Court found fault with the Board for not obtaining these records in prior decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral shin splints, and knee injuries, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 9, 2019. The Board has granted TDIU on this basis.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, and left knee degenerative arthritis disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection were dismissed due to concurrent election of review options.

The Veteran's appeal for eligibility to the direct payment of fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a September 2023 Rating Decision was dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD with agoraphobia and panic attacks is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran was also denied TDIU as her unemployability was attributed to nonservice-connected physical disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bipolar disorder and TDIU is denied as there was no pending claim at the time these benefits were granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran meets the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis and needs further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his PTSD contributed substantially and materially to his accidental polypharmacy overdose.

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error and the case is remanded for an adequate medical decision regarding eligibility for PCAFC benefits.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as incurred in service, and the claim for PTSD is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

Service connection for PTSD is granted due to a verified in-service search and rescue mission.,Service connection for the foot disability (including plantar fasciitis and aggravation of pes planus) is denied as there was no diagnosis of plantar fasciitis during the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran is awarded special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(1) due to the need for aid and attendance from two service-connected conditions: bilateral hearing loss rated at 100% and PTSD rated at 100%. The decision also grants a higher level of aid and attendance (r)(1).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected disabilities of PTSD, traumatic brain injury, thoracolumbar strain, bilateral knee disabilities, and obesity.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at a 50 percent since September 1, 2022. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of symptoms have more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression was rated at 50 percent prior to July 8, 2024. From that date, the rating was increased to 70 percent.