PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is not being readjudicated as there was no new and relevant evidence submitted since the January 2025 rating decision.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines will be readjudicated due to the submission of a new private medical opinion that addresses the relationship between her current condition and a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating has been denied. The Veteran also received a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an increased disability rating of 70% effective January 7, 2022. An earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person.

The appeal is dismissed as moot because the Veteran's past due benefits were already awarded and no fees were withheld or paid, so there are no remaining disputes to be adjudicated.

The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder was granted an increased disability rating of 70 percent, effective from October 1, 2020. The decision found that the Veteran's symptoms and impairment more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas throughout the entire appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches and chronic lumbar strain with DDD.

The Veteran's PTSD results in total occupational and social impairment for the entire appeal period, including a one-year lookback window.,Bilateral hearing loss does not meet compensable rating criteria under VA's tables for hearing loss disabilities.,Hypertension is rated as noncompensable (0%) due to lack of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more and systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, despite the Veteran reporting fatigue often with medication control.,Entitlement to TDIU is moot by virtue of the 100 percent schedular rating now assigned for PTSD.,Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits began on September 21, 2022.,There was no evidence provided that warranted an effective date prior to September 21, 2023, for SMC based on housebound status.

The Veteran's claims for left hand tremors, right hand tremors, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, right shoulder scar, PTSD with TBI, and low back disorder have been granted effective February 12, 2021. Earlier effective dates are not warranted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because there is insufficient corroborating evidence that the reported in-service stressor occurred.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating in excess of 60 percent for the service-connected Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) has been denied. The appeal for TDIU based on PTSD and CFS is dismissed as moot due to the Veteran's receipt of a combined rating of 100 percent from July 25, 2024.

The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia and PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or causation.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD was dismissed because he withdrew his request for a hearing and the appeal itself.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for OSA is granted as secondary to the service-connected PTSD.,Hypertension is granted as service-connected due to military service.,Functional diarrhea, a chronic qualifying disability related to service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations, is presumed to be service-connected.

The Board has decided that the Veteran is not eligible for PCAFC benefits due to a lack of evidence showing he requires personal care services or supervision. The case is being remanded to reconsider this decision with new medical evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 24, 2024 for a TDIU was denied as the evidence did not show that he was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities prior to this date.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability due to a prohibited concurrent election, as the Veteran's August 2021 VA Form 10182 was received while his October 2020 supplemental claim remained pending.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a scar, residual of a cyst removed from the groin area is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine disability is denied. A 20 percent disability rating, but no higher, is granted.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is denied. A 10 percent disability rating, but no higher, is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for otitis media of the right ear is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating for chest wall muscle spasm, claimed as costochondritis, is granted with a 10 percent rating.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for right ankle disability remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD was previously rated at 50 percent prior to July 14, 2023. From that date forward, the Veteran is now rated at 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's left and right first toe osteoarthritis are granted with a 20% rating. The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70% rating since July 24, 2023.