PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was granted with an effective date of September 18, 2019. The Veteran also received a grant of TDIU effective March 3, 2020.,PTSD symptoms were noted to have worsened as early as September 18, 2019, warranting a 50% rating at that time.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of February 10, 2021, for the award of a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD and TDIU.,Both awards are based on evidence showing that the Veteran's PTSD worsened to meet the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation as of February 10, 2021.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and alcohol use disorder is productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than August 6, 2021 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus and an effective date earlier than August 25, 2023 for the grants of service connection for lumbar radiculopathy, sciatic, left and right are denied.,The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder, an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, a rating in excess of 20 percent for disc degeneration at fifth lumbar, first sacral of the lumbar spine, and ratings in excess of 40 and 20 percent for lumbar radiculopathy, sciatic, left and right are denied.,The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for scar, left knee, a rating in excess of 10 percent for painful scar, left knee, and a compensable rating for hemorrhoids are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions were denied in the April 2020 rating decision. The Board is denying these claims based on finality of the decision and lack of new evidence or arguments.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to unclear notice and denial reasons. The Board finds the PCAFC decision did not clearly state which criteria were unmet, leading to a need for clarification.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected depression with cognitive impairment and sleep disturbances disability, as well as the nature and etiology of any PTSD condition or other mental health conditions. The case will be readjudicated after considering all evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right shoulder disorder, OSA, and diabetes mellitus, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from August 9, 2019, to May 6, 2021. Therefore, the Board granted his claim for TDIU during this period.

The Veteran's claim for a 100% disability rating for his service-connected psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD with antisocial personality disorder, panic disorder, and adjustment disorder with depressed mood, has been granted. The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis. Service connection for PTSD, adjustment disorder with anxious mood and/or depressed mood, and any other mental disorders are denied due to lack of a formal DSM-5 diagnosis during the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder warrants a rating of 70 percent effective September 1, 2017. He is also granted entitlement to TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right hand is granted. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and gastrointestinal disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since September 20, 2010. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to September 18, 2007, is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, and his claims for service connection for radiculopathy (right and left lower extremities) and neurogenic bladder condition have all been denied.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal for service connection for sleep apnea, which includes the claim that it is secondary to PTSD. The Board has dismissed this appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD is denied as it is a freestanding claim that must be dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for irritable bowel syndrome is denied because no communication prior to March 14, 2022 can be interpreted as an intent to file a formal or informal claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error in the original rating decision, and a new medical opinion is needed to address the Veteran's claim for service connection of OSA secondary to PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and a failure to obtain necessary service treatment records (STRs). The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, adjustment disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression, is being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD, finding that there is credible evidence supporting the occurrence of an in-service stressor and a link between current symptoms and this event.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The issues of TBI, psychiatric disability, sleep impairment, headache, vestibular disorder, shoulder disabilities, knee, ankle, foot, and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy will be reconsidered.