PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for GERD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and adenocarcinoma of the lung.

The Veteran is not entitled to SMC at a rate intermediate between SMC(l) and SMC(m) (SMC(p)) because he does not have an additional disability rated as 50 or 100 percent disabling.,The Veteran's claim for higher level of SMC, claimed as entitlement to SMC(t), is denied due to the lack of evidence showing that he requires a 'higher level of care' than what is required for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has vacated the July 2021 decision and remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and her military service.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn all appeals, and the Board dismisses them.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to warrant readjudication of the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. However, the issue is being remanded as the AOJ must first consider it before a final decision can be made.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD due to lack of evidence supporting the claimed in-service stressor, and because there was no significant threshold shift demonstrating permanent auditory damage on active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and that his current symptoms are related to in-service combat stressors. As such, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability and posttraumatic stress disorder rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from February 8, 2012 to February 13, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus type II, a heart condition, a back condition, obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to outstanding VA treatment records and unverified stressors.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied. From July 3, 2013 to January 31, 2017, the Veteran received a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened and granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a nexus between his current bilateral hearing loss and his active service, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor. The issues of increased ratings for PTSD and back disability, as well as TDIU, are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD has been dismissed. Service connection for a right leg scar (claimed as right calf injury) is granted. The issues of service connection for OSA, atrial flutter/atrial fibrillation, and diabetes mellitus are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence on whether the Veteran meets the DSM-5 criteria for a PTSD diagnosis and because there is no verification of the alleged MVA stressor. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with further examination and development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for psychiatric disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, left leg condition, right leg condition, and DDD of the lumbar spine as secondary to service-connected hallux valgus have been denied.

Your claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been dismissed as the VA RO granted you service connection for PTSD, which is considered a full grant of your benefit.

The Board denied service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as there is no competent medical evidence of a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD evaluation, service connection for coccidioidomycosis, right clavicle disorder with scars, and arthritis in the shoulders, ribs, chest wall, and hands were all denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an examination to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and anxiety, are related to service. The Veteran is currently incarcerated and VA must attempt to arrange transportation or have a VA examiner conduct the examination at the facility.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 9, 2021. The Board found that the Veteran was still employed at the time of his appeal.