PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The decision is based on credible lay statements and a medical opinion linking the sleep apnea to the service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of August 10, 1981 for his service-connected PTSD is granted. His current rating for PTSD remains at 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, a neurocognitive disorder, depression, and anxiety), benign prostatic hyperplasia, erectile dysfunction, neurogenic bladder, obstructive sleep apnea, and balance issues due to potential errors in the decision-making process.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and middle insomnia are granted as service-connected. The left ankle, lumbar spine, and right ankle disabilities are also granted as service-connected. However, the Veteran's migraines, bilateral shins (tibialis posterior tendinitis), stomach pain, nausea, queasiness, and bilateral foot disabilities remain denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 30, 2025 for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance was denied as there is no evidence showing he was permanently bedridden or helpless due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left elbow disability, and unspecified trauma-and stressor-related disorder. The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral vision disability was denied due to lack of evidence of a current disability or persistent symptoms during the pendency of the claim. Service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis was also denied as there is no in-service disease or injury indicative of the condition.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.,Claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right knee disability were granted due to the submission of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete service personnel records, which are necessary to determine if the appellant's National Guard service was 'federalized' (i.e., Title 10 or Title 32 service).

The Board has denied service connection for psoriasis and remanded the claims of unspecified anxiety disorder and PTSD due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for left knee strain was dismissed. The Board granted a TDIU exclusively due to PTSD from February 4, 2024 and SMC based on housebound status from the same date.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of this level. The Board also denied the claim for TDIU as the evidence did not show that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and cervical spine disability, finding that there is no credible evidence of in-service injury or event related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, seizure disorder associated with TBI, and dementia have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. Effective April 13, 2011, he is granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran was granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD effective June 25, 2008. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD precluded him from securing or following gainful employment since this date.,Basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits was established based on the Veteran having a permanent and total service-connected disability effective June 25, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, anxiety disorder, and nightmare disorder was denied. The Veteran also appealed for TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD. Both appeals were granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and polysubstance use disorder has been granted due to the submission of new evidence that supports the diagnosis and link between his in-service stressor and current symptoms.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be at least as likely as not due to his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder, anxious distress, and generalized anxiety disorder. The right sacroiliac joint dysfunction and TBI claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The TDIU rating is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 29, 2021, for the 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted. The Board also grants a TDIU based solely on PTSD effective December 16, 2021.