PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, which is secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The AOJ must obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is at least as likely as not aggravated by PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a deviated septum and an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for migraines. The claim for PTSD with major depressive disorder and panic disorder was granted, but only at a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral ankle and leg blister disorder, and scrotal blister disorder with tinea pedis have been granted increased disability ratings. The psychiatric disorder is rated at 70 percent since May 11, 2020; the ankle and leg blister disorder is rated at 10 percent prior to April 8, 2021, and 10 percent thereafter; and the scrotal blister disorder with tinea pedis are both rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and severe alcohol use disorder, effective from the date of receipt of a supplemental claim on March 14, 2024. The Veteran's service includes active duty from November 2007 to November 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and left knee disability, with obesity serving as an intermediate step.

The Board has waived the 60-day timeliness requirement for filing a substantive appeal and accepted the March 2020 VA Form 9 as timely. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating, service connection, and TDIU are all granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Bipolar Disorder was granted with an effective date of March 19, 2018. The Board found that the Veteran had a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder prior to his initial claim in March 19, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for the increased rating of PTSD with secondary MDD and the grant of Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits are being remanded due to procedural errors. Additional VA treatment records must be obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating on the basis of individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined schedular rating was 100 percent and he had not demonstrated that any single service-connected disability rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of PTSD was dismissed because the VA Form 10182, submitted more than one year after notification of the November 2020 rating decision denying service connection, was not timely filed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of PTSD, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and an earlier effective date prior to September 24, 2021, for the assignment of a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD is granted, with the effective date set at March 13, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, anxiety, and depression), allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, left elbow disability, right elbow disability, neck disability, colostomy, diverticulosis, bilateral foot condition, heart disability, hemorrhoids, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, back disability, colon polyps, prostate disability, and vertigo were denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a causal relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD and TDIU/DEA benefits, finding that new and material evidence had not been received in relation to these issues.

The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for Meniere's disease from August 19, 2021, and has also granted SMC based on housebound status from the same date. The appellant is now service-connected for multiple conditions including Meniere's disease, PTSD, urge incontinence, migraine headaches, tinnitus, and GERD.

The Veteran's surviving spouse filed a notice of disagreement regarding the effective date of VA benefits granted in November 2019, but lacks standing to do so as no appeal was made within one year of the decision and the Veteran had died prior to any potential appeal.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the August 18, 2021 substantive appeal was not timely filed as to the February 26, 2020 Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. However, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's PTSD disability has been rated at 100 percent since March 13, 2014 to June 2, 2019. The issue of an effective date prior to July 20, 2017 for TDIU is dismissed as moot.