PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) — all decisions

The Board granted an effective date of January 21, 2022, for the award of service connection for PTSD and a rating of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) effective December 20, 2022.

The Board granted service connection for headaches and right hand strain, increased the ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, dyshidrotic eczema, and hypertension, and denied service connection for Parkinsonism, pes planus/flat feet, GERD, tinea versicolor, allergic rhinitis, and tinnitus. The Board also granted a TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, as the probative evidence did not show that these conditions had their onset in or were otherwise due to service.

The appeal was dismissed due to a procedural defect related to the submission of the Notice of Disagreement by the Claimant prior to approval of her request for substitution as claimant following the Veteran's death.

The Board remands the matter to correct a duty to assist error related to the failure to obtain private treatment records from Dr. J.K. and the provider who initially prescribed Escitalopram.

The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD but granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and earlier effective dates.

The Board granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) based on the evidence supporting a link between the Veteran's in-service experiences and his current PTSD diagnosis.

The appeal regarding the deferred claim for entitlement to service connection for PTSD is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment due to a lack of eligibility based on service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for multiple psychiatric and physical disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left foot disability, left lower extremity sciatica, low back disability, and left arm disability.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for TDIU due to procedural defects, while remanding the claim for DEA eligibility.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD and insomnia disorder, as the evidence did not support a claim prior to September 12, 2021.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and major depressive disorder, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor based on onset during active service.

The Veteran's effective date for the 70 percent evaluation of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with other specified depressive disorder is granted as August 31, 2018.

The Board granted a rating of 50 percent for PTSD, but no higher. The claims for service connection for low back condition and right hip trochanteric pain syndrome were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding it to be related to the Veteran's active-duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone renders him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective October 24, 2023. Additionally, special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate is granted from the same date.

The Board remands the claims for service connection, to include on a secondary basis, for PTSD, depression, headache disability, and bilateral foot disabilities due to further development of the Veteran's reported in-service stressor events and obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board denied a disability rating higher than 70 percent for major depressive disorder with PTSD but granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the same condition, effective February 15, 2024.