PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep impairment disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and various musculoskeletal conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, as there was no credible evidence of in-service stressors and his current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD, finding that the earliest possible effective date is November 17, 2021, based on when the Veteran's original claim was received.

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder was denied, and the effective date for service connection was also denied. The appeal is based on both issues.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from March 19, 2018 to February 10, 2020 and denied for a higher rating. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to effective dates and service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to PTSD, finding that the Veteran's weight gain and obesity are related to his PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, is related to her in-service military sexual trauma. Service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 100 percent is not warranted. The Veteran was denied entitlement to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, requires further development due to a duty-to-assist error in failing to obtain a medical opinion regarding his reported military sexual trauma (MST).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD and MDD, was caused by service. The Board has granted the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity scars are granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher. The left ankle strain/sprain is denied any increase in rating beyond the current 10 percent. Service connection for PTSD and lumbar spine condition are also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been fully granted, and the appeal is dismissed as moot.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, including PTSD with traumatic brain injury residuals. The VA examiners' opinions were inadequate and further development is required.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms more closely approximated the criteria for a 100% rating from December 27, 2016. The claim of entitlement to an effective date earlier than July 6, 2019 for TDIU is mooted as he is already rated at 100% for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to May 31, 2019 is denied. The earliest date of claim available is October 13, 2020, and the effective date assigned by the AOJ was May 31, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU based solely on PTSD was denied. The Veteran is still rated at 70 percent for PTSD, but his TDIU claim was granted effective December 14, 2019.

The Board has granted a 70 percent initial rating for the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD, unspecified anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder. The decision is based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including stressor verification and a VA examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted as new and relevant evidence had been submitted, which supported the diagnosis of PTSD related to an in-service personal assault.