PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to unresolved issues regarding service connection for bilateral eye disability and entitlement to SMC. The Board will consider the evidence in its decision.

The Veteran's left elbow disability is granted a higher initial rating of 10 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's migraine headaches are denied any increase in rating beyond the current 30 percent. The Veteran's PTSD is denied an increased rating to over 50 percent. The Veteran's service connection claims for CFS, OSA, sinusitis, left foot disorder, and right shoulder disorder are all denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from November 20, 2017, as his service-connected disabilities make him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted due to the evidence being in equipoise as to whether he has a diagnosed PTSD related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of the award of a total rating for PTSD is denied.,The issue of TDIU is dismissed as moot due to the Veteran's receipt of a 100% disability rating for PTSD.

The Board denied the appellant's eligibility to direct payment of fees from past due benefits awarded in a September 2024 rating decision granting an increased PTSD rating, as this was considered the initial decision with respect to the case.

The Board denied the appellant's request for direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the August 2024 rating decision because the March 2024 TDIU claim was considered a new and original claim, not a supplemental claim. The initial decision with respect to the case was the August 2024 rating decision.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as they did not include significant deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's prostatitis and prostate cancer are already rated at the maximum (100%) prior to January 1, 2021. The rating is restored effective that date.,A compensable disability rating for impotence has been denied.,PTSD from September 28, 2021, warrants a 100% disability rating.,Special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria was granted starting January 1, 2021.

The Veteran's tinnitus is not service-connected as it pre-existed his military service and was not aggravated by it.,There is no diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, or depression, during the appeal period. The Veteran has attended a support group for mental health issues but no formal diagnoses were made.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective July 19, 2016, based on her service-connected PTSD. The effective date is determined by the date of claim for service connection and the appropriate initial rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on several issues, including service connection for upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities and sleep apnea, as well as higher ratings for the back, left shoulder, lower extremity radiculopathy disorders, and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's obesity as a possible intermediate step in his development of obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to obtain a retrospective opinion from an appropriate VA clinician regarding the severity of the appellant's service-connected PTSD with alcohol dependence and MDD for the period prior to April 11, 2019.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but not higher, effective January 10, 2024. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has granted a rating of 100 percent for PTSD prior to June 17, 2025, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is granted, subject to regulations governing payment of monetary awards.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but no higher, due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board found that the level of impairment associated with a 50 percent rating is most closely approximated throughout the claim period.

The Board has granted readjudication of the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The case is remanded for further action by the AOJ.