PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the July 2025 decision denying service connection for various conditions, including anxiety and PTSD, hypertension, sleep apnea, right hip condition, low back disability, and bilateral ankle disability is vacated. The issues of service connection are being remanded due to failure to consider secondary theories and adjudicate an effective date prior to November 14, 2022 for the assignment of a 10 percent disability rating for left hip flexion.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining complete STRs and military personnel records.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric condition was increased from a 70% to a 100% rating in the February 2024 decision, based on a supplemental claim submitted in October 2023. The appellant is eligible for attorney fees as a result.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and fibromyalgia disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's upper respiratory infection claim is denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for TBI, an increased rating for PTSD, and entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring additional evidence and an opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not raise issues related to service connection until his April 2019 claim, which was based on continuous pursuit of an original claim since receipt of the intent to file on that date.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for PTSD with TBI and a separate rating for TBI have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment throughout the review period, warranting a 100% rating.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than August 20, 2020, for the grant of a 70 percent rating for PTSD is denied. The Board found that there was no increase in severity of PTSD symptoms prior to August 20, 2020.

The Veteran was granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective from July 13, 2019.,The Veteran was also granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches, effective from July 13, 2019.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective March 24, 2014.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he remained gainfully employed throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran is granted TDIU and DEA benefits effective March 31, 2017 due to service-connected PTSD.,SMC at the housebound rate is also granted from November 18, 2024.

The Board dismissed the appeal of a proposed reduction in disability rating from 70 percent to 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder with persistent depressive disorder and anxious distress because the proposal was not yet final, and the Veteran filed an appeal prematurely.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is rated at 70 percent from November 16, 2023. The rating is granted as the symptoms do not meet criteria for a higher or total disability rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia, PTSD, anxiety, and depression as there is no evidence showing that these conditions began in or are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to PTSD and dismissed the issue of a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the other claims. The Veteran's hearing loss claim is denied as there was no evidence of a current disability during or after active service.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 50 percent from February 2, 1981, to February 3, 1988. From February 3, 1988, the Veteran is now entitled to a rating of 70 percent for his PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for OSA as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.