PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's OSA was proximately due to or aggravated by his PTSD, and thus service connection for OSA is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current tinnitus was incurred in or aggravated by his military service.,Service connection for psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is also denied, as there is no credible evidence of a diagnosis of PTSD during service and no post-service medical records showing symptoms consistent with PTSD within one year after discharge. The Veteran's claim for hypertension is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of February 7, 2019 for the grant of a 70% rating for PTSD. The claim for service connection for ED is remanded due to violations of statutory duty and pre-decisional DTA error.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the failure to obtain relevant mental health counseling records from the Madison Vet Center and a private psychologist. The claim will be reconsidered with these additional records.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder due to the lack of a diagnosed condition related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused significant impairment, including suicidal ideation and impaired impulse control. The Board has determined that a 70% rating is warranted for the period from March 9, 2017, to March 27, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating and TDIU have been remanded due to the VA's failure to obtain relevant medical records from the Vet Center, private treatment facilities, SSA, and VR&E program.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, requiring the Veteran to be provided with an adequate VA examination pertaining to his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not total impairment. The Board denied a higher rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD due to MST and membranous nephritis with hypertension resulted in a 70% rating effective June 20, 2019. The Board granted an earlier effective date for the TDIU determination based on the factually ascertainable increase in disability occurring as of June 30, 2020.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and additional development is needed, including obtaining VA examinations for psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for CFS, a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss disability, and an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of CFS or any other qualifying chronic disability under the VA regulations. For the bilateral hearing loss disability, the Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. Regarding PTSD, the Board determined that the Veteran's symptoms do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a maximum of 100 percent, effective June 18, 2018. The issue of TDIU has been dismissed as the Veteran's other service-connected disabilities do not warrant a separate rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD is denied as there was no increase in the disability within one year prior to his February 8, 2023 claim.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, unspecified personality disorder with histrionic and borderline traits, and major depressive disorder have all been denied as there is no verified in-service stressor for PTSD, the diagnosis of a personality disorder does not meet VA compensation criteria, and the depression and anxiety symptoms are considered part of the pre-existing personality disorder.,The Veteran's service treatment records indicate he was diagnosed with a hysterical personality disorder during service. The Board found that his current unspecified personality disorder is less likely than not caused by or related to his military service.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis/nasal polyposis, PTSD, and OSA have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also receiving a 70 percent rating for his PTSD and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's TBI rating from 100% to 70%, and combining it with his PTSD, was improper. The 100% rating for TBI is restored as of December 1, 2021.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's fatigue symptoms are related to another disability or a distinct condition. The Veteran will need to undergo a VA examination to clarify this.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to errors in duty to assist, and for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for psychiatric disability, bilateral foot disability, and kidney disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 50 percent, but no greater, for PTSD is granted. The effective date remains March 26, 2015.