PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to the Veteran's exposure to traumatic events during active duty, including being on a ship through the Suez Canal and witnessing destruction in Afghanistan. The decision is based on medical evidence diagnosing PTSD and a positive nexus opinion linking current symptoms to an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for PTSD is granted from October 3, 2005. The Board found that new and material evidence received within one year of the March 2011 rating decision rendered the March 2011 rating decision non-final, allowing the initial increased rating claim to remain pending.

The Board has granted the appellant's recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA death benefits, but has found a duty to assist error in failing to obtain a medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death. The case is therefore remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should have been provided a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, and thus remands the case for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with anxiety and depressed mood is at least as likely as not incurred in and/or aggravated by his in-service stressors while stationed in Kuwait, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound criteria was granted effective July 25, 2019. The appeal for attorney fees from past-due benefits awarded in the December 2020 rating decision is dismissed as moot due to a subsequent fee decision finding the Appellant eligible for such fees.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was initially denied in August 2013. The Board granted service connection and assigned an initial evaluation of 50% effective August 29, 2012. Additional evidence led to a temporary evaluation of 100% from February 11, 2015 due to hospitalization over 21 days, followed by a permanent evaluation of 50% from May 1, 2015. The Veteran's attorney was awarded fees based on past-due benefits in the December 2023 rating decision.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating due to their severity, frequency, and duration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented her from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment since May 20, 2017. Her TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of May 20, 2017.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 70% rating effective June 4, 2014. He is seeking an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a rating of 70 percent, and service connection for chronic respiratory issues, sinuses is denied.

The Veteran's disability rating for PTSD with anxiety and depression was reduced from 100% to 70%, but the reduction is void ab initio due to a failure to provide a predetermination hearing. The VA has restored the original 100% disability rating effective September 1, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and radiculopathy right lower extremity, are alleged to have caused or aggravated his sleep apnea. The Board finds a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not addressing this theory of entitlement and requires a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for her service-connected PTSD secondary to MST was denied, and she is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD with tobacco use disorder, alcohol use disorder, and unspecified eating or feeding disorder is being remanded to obtain her treatment records from the Syracuse Vet Center.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing all issues related to PTSD, lumbar spine disorder, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, and hypertension.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 28, 2018 as it was previously adjudicated in a Legacy Board decision and is now final.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder) is remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board finds that a VA examination should be conducted to determine the etiology of all acquired psychiatric disorders present during the period of the claim.