PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board has denied service connection for right hip arthritis, left hip arthritis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as insomnia and PTSD), finding that the evidence does not support a link to service.,Service records do not show any complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions during active duty. The Veteran's current symptoms are noted many years after separation.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation for her PTSD has been dismissed because she withdrew the appeal in June 2021.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen his PTSD claim was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran while the appeal was pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of an inguinal hernia and a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's claim for service connection, and his PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted. The case is remanded due to the need for additional evidence related to stressors and military records of possessions kept in a San Diego apartment that were lost.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

An effective date of March 31, 2006, but no earlier, for the award of service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, lumbar spine is granted.,A rating in excess of 20 percent for a lumbar spine disorder prior to November 14, 2012, is denied.,An effective date of November 14, 2012, but no earlier, for the grant of a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, lumbar spine is granted.

The appeal seeking service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their request.

The Veteran's claims of higher initial rating for anxiety disorder, service connection for PTSD, and TDIU have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The case is remanded for further action on the low back disorder claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, as his education, skills, training, and vocational history are sufficient for sedentary-type work.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot disorder, left foot disorder, and psychiatric disability (PTSD) have been dismissed. The claim for a rating in excess of the assigned ratings for lumbosacral spine intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis has also been denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, sinus disorder, GERD, hysterectomy (previously claimed as fibroid tumors), PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, and alopecia have been granted. The appeal was dismissed for the issue of a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for further development, including obtaining additional Reserve service treatment records and private psychiatric treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD and mental manifestations, including bipolar II disorder, have resulted in total social and occupational impairment since October 20, 2021. A rating of 100 percent has been granted for this period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn and dismissed.,Service connection for left knee strain was denied as the evidence does not support an in-service injury or disease, and there is no credible link between current symptoms and service.,Service connection for a bilateral foot disability was denied due to lack of evidence of an in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's testimony about chronic pain during service did not align with contemporaneous records indicating he did not seek treatment for left knee issues.,The Veteran's claim for right shoulder disability, psychiatric disorder (PTSD and major depressive disorder), cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and radiculopathy was remanded as the evidence is insufficient to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is denied as the evidence does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD under DSM-5.,The issue of service connection for a back condition is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions on whether the current disability existed during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further action due to new evidence and a need for reconsideration of the ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD due to military sexual trauma (MST) based on the Veteran's VA treatment records, which indicate chronic PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The case will be further evaluated with additional medical opinions and records.