PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The reduction in the rating for kidney stones from 20% to noncompensable was improper, and therefore, the restoration of the 20% rating assigned for the Veteran's service-connected kidney stones is granted. The appeal for an initial rating of 70% for PTSD is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for Erectile Dysfunction (ED) as secondary to the Veteran's Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), finding that PTSD caused or aggravated ED.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for his psychiatric disability and entitlement to TDIU due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to assess his current symptoms and manifestations of any psychiatric disability, including unspecified anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70% from June 1, 2018, to March 25, 2020. The VA increased the rating to 100% effective March 25, 2020, based on a VA examination showing an increase in symptoms. The Board granted an earlier effective date of June 28, 2019, for the award of a 100% rating.

The Veteran's GERD, left ankle pain, erectile dysfunction, and tension headaches are all claimed as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board finds the evidence insufficient to determine if these conditions are related to PTSD.,The VA examiner in June 2021 did not provide a clear opinion on whether the Veteran's symptoms of burning in his throat and stomach, vomiting, and unintentional weight loss constitute a disability and whether any such disability is secondary to his PTSD.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of hypertension due to a pending development. The issues of increased rating for obstructive sleep apnea with COPD and psychiatric disability (including anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder) are remanded.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50% due to very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks, which significantly impact his ability to work.,PTSD is rated at 70%, reflecting occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU due solely to PTSD and SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) from December 20, 2018.

The Veteran's service connection claim for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is granted. Claims for PTSD, bipolar disorder, and nervousness are denied.

The appeal for an increased evaluation of coronary artery disease has been dismissed. The claim for restoration of a 70% disability rating for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD is granted, with the effective date set at August 29, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for migraine headaches is denied. The case is remanded to obtain VA treatment records related to the Veteran's PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding incomplete service personnel records that could provide information about whether there is an in-service marker for military sexual trauma (MST).

The appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed due to a procedural defect.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA, secondary to PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Traumatic Brain Injury is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The appeal concerning the issues of earlier effective dates for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability, basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance, and service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder is dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and MDD are not related to his active-duty service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative joint disease (low back disability) was restored to a 40 percent rating effective February 1, 2021.,A higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is denied.

The Board has granted eligibility for the direct payment of attorney fees to the appellant from past due benefits awarded in a May 2022 rating decision granting increased ratings for PTSD and a right knee disability, as well as entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from April 8, 2015.