PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for all issues related to the service-connected conditions listed, including PTSD, low back disability, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right foot and left foot disabilities, hip limitations, wrist ganglion cyst, scar on the right wrist, allergic rhinitis, sciatic radicular pain of the left lower extremity, shoulder disability, and traumatic brain injury. As a result, all appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher disability rating for PTSD with TBI were dismissed because the Veteran did not opt into the modernized review system under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA).

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective January 1, 2015, due to his service-connected PTSD. The effective date is based on the date of the examination that supported this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD precludes him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for total disability due to individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for back impairment, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and heart impairment have been granted. The claim for psychiatric impairment other than PTSD is dismissed as part of the grant of service connection for PTSD. Service connection has also been granted for bilateral glaucoma due to in-service eye injury but not secondary to cataracts. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, separate and distinct from his service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder, is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, and the Board dismissed the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since January 2016, and the appeal for an increased rating is granted.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), hallux rigidus of the right foot, and hallux rigidus of the left foot due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD with persistent depressive disorder, anxious distress and general anxiety disorder is granted. The Board finds the issue of a higher rating for TBI requires remand due to duty-to-assist error.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claims for left shoulder pain, right shoulder pain, low back condition, patellofemoral syndrome, patellofemoral osteoarthrosis, residuals of left ankle injury, and PTSD with sleep disturbances. The claims are now remanded for further consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder prior to July 18, 2019, resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. However, the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and duty-to-assist errors, including failure to obtain relevant treatment records and provide an examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from November 13, 2013 to February 7, 2024. The appeal for a higher rating than 70 percent has been dismissed as the Veteran was granted a 70 percent rating effective February 8, 2024.

PTSD is rated at 100% effective January 14, 2014.,SMC for PTSD is granted effective January 14, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the Veteran's service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The claim will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, and his bilateral hearing loss is denied an initial compensable rating.

The Board's decision is dismissed due to a procedural defect, as the Veteran had already elected Higher-Level Review of the November 2023 AOJ rating decision and the appeal was improperly docketed at the Board.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), and erectile dysfunction. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claims for PTSD, left leg radiculopathy, and right leg radiculopathy. The claim of service connection for PTSD is granted. The issues of service connection for left leg radiculopathy and right leg radiculopathy are remanded for further review.