PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on military sexual trauma (MST) due to the Veteran's reported assaults during military confinement, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to her service-connected disabilities, finding that she was not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with her education and work history.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of January 17, 2014 for the grant of total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran's entitlement to TDIU arose on April 9, 2008 when he was no longer able to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's condition, which included depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, was deemed emergent and warranted special mode transport provided by the City of Phoenix (COP) on September 30, 2019. The claim for reimbursement is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of residuals of fractured right tibia was withdrawn. The claims for residuals of head injury and rib injury were denied as there is no persuasive evidence of current disability or in-service incurrence. The claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The Board denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for total social and occupational impairment. For TDIU, the Veteran was found to be able to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his work history.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to her active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted a 100 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The claim for individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed.

The Veteran's stroke and PTSD claims are remanded for further review. The compensation claim for stroke is denied due to no fault on the part of VA, while the PTSD rating from March 13, 2023, to October 7, 2024, remains denied as there is not sufficient evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression) and a prostate condition. The evidence did not support the presence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder (PTSD with alcohol use disorder) is denied for a total disability rating as the frequency, severity, and duration of her symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 1, 2025, for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show that he was precluded from employment solely due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence related to the Veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been received since the May 2023 rating decision. The claims of increased ratings for cervical spine strain, right shoulder arthralgia, right knee arthralgia based on limitation of flexion, left knee arthralgia based on limitation of flexion, and entitlement to a 40 percent rating, but no higher, for right knee arthralgia based on limitation of extension from October 28, 2024 to February 25, 2025 are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for PTSD is denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as the grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD from December 5, 2017, is considered an equal or greater benefit.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeal for increased special monthly compensation (SMC) was denied as she is not entitled to the higher rate under section 1114(o). The Board found that her service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and right foot drop, are already accounted for in the current SMC rates.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's appeal concerning the effective date for PTSD service connection and initial rating was dismissed due to his death.

The Board finds the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder related to service, particularly given inconsistencies in his statements and lack of combat service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) as there is no evidence that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.