PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to July 25, 2016 for the grant of service connection for PTSD with alcohol use disorder. The appeal is remanded due to a duty to assist error regarding records from the Vet Center.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, depression, and insomnia disorder, is related to service exposure to the death of North Korean soldiers during a training exercise in Korea. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA opinion obtained in December 2018 is inadequate and requires a new examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service, specifically the stressors of his wife having two miscarriages while he was in service.

The Board has remanded several claims, including service connection for COPD, heart conditions, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, anemia, gallstones, and glaucoma. The Veteran's exposure to asbestos during service as a boiler technician is conceded.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in duty to assist and incomplete medical opinions. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is being granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, due to military sexual trauma (MST). The evidence is in approximate balance on whether the Veteran's PTSD is related to her MST. As such, the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional records regarding his employment history and VA education benefits.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse disorder is currently rated at 30 percent prior to February 24, 2022. The Board denied a higher rating as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 50% or 70% disability rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include bipolar disorder and PTSD as due to military sexual trauma (MST), based on new evidence submitted since the March 2000 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to May 1, 2017 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective March 14, 2007. The claim for an increased rating remains denied.,For the period from June 15, 2015 to November 3, 2019, the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve was rated at 10 percent and his right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve was also rated at 10 percent. The claims for increased ratings remain denied.,For the period from October 24, 2011 to November 3, 2019, the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve were both rated at 10 percent. The claims for increased ratings remain denied.,For the period beginning March 4, 2022, the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve was rated at 40 percent and his right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve was also rated at 40 percent. The claims for increased ratings remain denied.,For the period beginning March 4, 2022, the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve was rated at 20 percent and his right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve was also rated at 20 percent. The claims for increased ratings remain denied.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerves were both rated at 20 percent from November 4, 2019 to March 3, 2022. The claims for increased ratings remain denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for service connection purposes, and therefore, his claims for bilateral hearing loss, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, TBI, migraine headaches, and psychiatric disorder are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for CFS has been dismissed. The Board found that the appellant requested withdrawal of his appeal.,PTSD is now rated at 70 percent, effective from October 26, 2021.

The Veteran's neck disability is granted as service-connected, with a grant of the maximum rating (100%) effective from December 30, 2019.,For the period prior to December 30, 2019, his TBI and PTSD are rated at 100%.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD results in a combined rating of 100 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating. The Veteran already receives special monthly compensation based on housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities. Therefore, the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD is granted, and his headaches are not rated compensably. The bilateral knee disorder, left hip tenosynovitis with limitation of extension, left hip tenosynovitis with limited flexion, left hip tenosynovitis with painful motion, unspecified anxiety disorder, and TDIU issues have been remanded for further review.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 8, 2016. The evidence does not show that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and plantar fasciitis. The issues include increased ratings for PTSD, right shoulder impingement syndrome, lumbar strain, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in August 2015, and no new or material evidence was submitted within one year. The April 25, 2018 claim is considered the date of claim, but as it is later than the effective date of the denial, an earlier effective date is not granted.