PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that there is no competent and probative evidence associating his current psychiatric disorders with his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bi-polar I disorder, PTSD, mood disorder, and depression, is granted as service-connected due to aggravation by the removal of his right testicle. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 50 percent disabling prior to July 12, 2021. The evidence does not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas or total occupational and social impairment.,As of July 12, 2021, the Veteran's PTSD is rated as 70 percent disabling. However, the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is dismissed. The Board finds there is no justiciable case or controversy regarding this issue as the March 2018 rating decision already granted service connection for an adjustment disorder, claimed as PTSD. The low back disability claim is remanded due to lack of a VA examination and missing treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and service connection has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for PTSD and Migraine Headaches are denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, diabetes mellitus type II remains at 10 percent, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are both rated at 10 percent. Service connection for hypertension was granted on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for athlete's foot with onychomycosis was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a hand tremor were denied as there was no verified in-service stressor or chronic condition, respectively.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 100% effective February 21, 2017. The Board found that there was a factually ascertainable increase in disability prior to September 20, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for a left shoulder condition, head condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. However, his claim for a sternum condition was reopened and granted on the merits.,His application for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and depression have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,Service connection for hearing loss has been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective October 29, 2012. He seeks a higher initial rating.,For the period prior to May 9, 2019, the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was rated at 20 percent. For the entire period on appeal, he seeks an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for this condition.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent and his left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent prior to May 9, 2019. For the entire period on appeal, he seeks an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for both conditions.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was rated at 10 percent prior to May 9, 2019 and 20 percent thereafter. He seeks increased ratings for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 22, 2021 and a higher rating thereafter was denied. The claim for TDIU was also denied as the evidence did not show that he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, and schizophrenia. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD under DSM-5 criteria.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU prior to July 6, 2020 due to his service-connected disabilities. From July 6, 2020, the claim for a TDIU is denied as he was incarcerated for a felony conviction.

The Veteran's disability rating for PTSD was reduced from 50% to 10%, effective May 1, 2015, and ending on May 11, 2018. The reduction was proper due to the Veteran's incarceration following a felony conviction.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD with major depressive disorder was denied by the Board, as her symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and a left eye disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical records, examinations, and further analysis.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to June 27, 2017. The Board found that the severity of her symptoms most closely approximated a 70 percent rating.