PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a staged rating of 50% prior to October 5, 2019 and 70% from that date. The Veteran's Degenerative Lumbar Disc Disease is granted at 70%. GERD remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are not fully adjudicated, and thus these issues must be remanded to allow for further development of the record.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and earlier effective dates have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for initial disability ratings in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, gastroesophageal reflux disease with Barrett's esophagus, and sleep apnea have been remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected PTSD and musculoskeletal disabilities with obesity as an intermediate step. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service-connected PTSD and a higher initial rating for PTSD have been denied. The Veteran currently has a 50% disability rating for her PTSD, which is the maximum available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for an earlier effective date for PTSD and a higher initial rating, finding that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal for a 10 percent evaluation based upon multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities, an earlier effective date for the grant of SMC, and his increased rating claims for PTSD and TDIU have been dismissed. His claim for a 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease as of June 1, 2009, but no earlier, has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service-connected PTSD and a higher initial rating for PTSD are both denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD in July 2020, with the effective date set at November 26, 2019.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, OCD, panic disorder and major depressive disorder, recurrent, mild with bilateral TMJ pain as it is not supported by evidence received prior to February 7, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain missing Vet Center treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted an increased rating of 50 percent. Service connection for tinnitus, right foot disability, left foot disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability are denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to military sexual trauma and unspecified depressive disorder, is granted as service-connected. However, the Veteran does not meet criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for neck disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and PTSD due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The appeal on the issue of service connection for seizures has been withdrawn. The Veteran's claim for tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence showing onset or continuity of symptoms within one year after separation from service. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50% and not higher.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to February 2, 2022 and since February 2, 2022. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's employment status and disability limitations during a specific period.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for issues related to effective dates and service connection, as the Veteran withdrew his appeals. The remaining claims of service connection have been remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and unspecified anxiety disorder is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least as likely as not that his current psychiatric conditions are related to his in-service stressor involving a fire aboard the USS Gary.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are at least as likely as not related to her military sexual trauma. The appeal is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral wrist, right ankle, and lumbar spine disabilities due to failure of the Veteran to appear for VA examinations.