PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on PTSD, migraine headaches, GERD, ED, and right ankle condition have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The claims will be dismissed without prejudice.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that it is not factually ascertainable that the Veteran was precluded from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 30, 2023.

The Veteran's SMC award for the need for regular aid and attendance is granted as of May 27, 2022, based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in a final rating decision, and the Board found no pending unadjudicated claims prior to the August 4, 2023 intent-to-file. Therefore, an earlier effective date is not granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher than 50 percent rating for PTSD, and also determined that the Veteran could still engage in substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of October 13, 2020 for the award of a 70 percent rating for PTSD and for special monthly compensation based on housebound status.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, PTSD, and bilateral upper and lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy qualify him for SMC(m) based on the need for regular aid and attendance. The Board granted a whole step increase from SMC(l).

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective date, increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU have been denied. The Board found that an earlier effective date is not warranted due to the lack of evidence showing entitlement to a temporary total disability rating prior to October 29, 2020. For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was restored to 100%, and the apportionment of $1,000 per month for their children's benefit was also restored.

The Veteran's disability rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder was reduced from 100% to 70%, effective November 1, 2020. The Board found that the evidence did not show actual improvement in his condition and restored the original 100% rating.

An effective date of July 1, 2020 is granted for Total Disability Rating based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).,An effective date of July 1, 2020 is also granted for basic eligibility for Chapter 35 Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) due to permanent and total service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of posttraumatic stress disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and persistent depressive disorder (dysthymic disorder) to include generalized anxiety disorder due to an impermissible concurrent election.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the 70 percent rating for PTSD is dismissed as a freestanding claim.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of voiding dysfunction is denied due to the secondary nature of the condition.,SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ (erectile dysfunction) is granted.,TDIU prior to July 30, 2024 is granted.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20% and denied an increased rating higher than this level.,PTSD has been granted a 50% rating effective March 9, 2020.

The Board has found that new and relevant evidence has been received for the Veteran's claims of a higher rating for PTSD and an earlier effective date for TDIU. The AOJ is required to readjudicate these claims on their merits.

The Veteran's retroactive payment for TDIU and SMC benefits was improperly reduced due to a recouping of an overpaid dependency debt, which has been waived. The Board grants the Veteran any remaining amount owed.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder is granted, as the evidence supports a link between these conditions and an in-service personal assault.

The Veteran's hypertension and PTSD have been granted ratings, with the hypertension receiving a 10 percent rating and PTSD receiving a 100 percent rating.