PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The issues of prostate, erectile dysfunction, GERD, GI ulcer, and sleep condition are related to the Veteran's in-service stressors or symptoms.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for PTSD and lung cancer service connection has been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea service connection is granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and PTSD have been granted service connection, with the lumbar spine disability receiving a grant of direct service connection. The Veteran's PTSD has also received a rating of 100 percent effective from November 19, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD, left shoulder disorder, and headache disorder are all granted service connection. However, the lower back, right hip, and left hip disorders do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and unspecified depression are pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Anxiety disorder unspecified, finding that new evidence received after the May 2019 rating decision is relevant to these issues. The Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD and anxiety disorder are supported by medical records, including a VA mental health consultation note from December 2018 and an August 2023 letter from a VA psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner. The Board also found credible supporting evidence for the Veteran's in-service stressors, leading to service connection for both PTSD and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issues of entitlement to an earlier effective date for dependent's education assistance and entitlement to an earlier effective date for the grant of total disability due to individual unemployability. As a result, the Board dismisses these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and need for further verification of in-service stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board granted TDIU based on the combined rating of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, has been dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder were initially evaluated at a 30% rating prior to January 25, 2021. The Board has determined that the evidence supports an increased evaluation to 70%, but no higher, for this period.

The Veteran's PTSD with insomnia disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has remanded his claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, a bilateral hand condition, and neuropathy of the bilateral feet. The appeal for increase in disability evaluations for metatarsalgia of the right foot and scarring of the left hand was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of PTSD was dismissed due to their passing away during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's PTSD rating from 100% to 70% was proper and denied a request for restoration of the 100% rating.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and service connection was denied. The initial rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder remains at 70 percent, the rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and the initial rating for bilateral pes planus is denied. A separate 10 percent rating for left foot hallux valgus from February 10, 2020 was granted. The right foot scar's rating remains at 0 percent. Service connection requests for left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and low back disability were also not granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request to restore a 100% rating for his service-connected PTSD and substance abuse disorder, as the reduction from a temporary 100% rating to a permanent 50% rating was deemed proper.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as of April 27, 2018 because he has a combined disability rating of 100% for his service-connected disabilities and the appeal is moot due to the grant of a 100% disability rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for PTSD and ADHD, but has denied both conditions as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD or ADHD.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence and the need for a VA examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, which he claims is related to his combat service in Kuwait.