PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to procedural errors and insufficient evidence. The appellant's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is being examined again as there are unclear findings from the previous VA examination. A new VA examination is also needed to determine if the appellant's migraine headaches were incurred in or due to his active military service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, as there are insufficient records to make a decision without further evaluation. The Veteran's symptoms and in-service events suggest a possible link to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and various musculoskeletal conditions, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an increased initial disability rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The decision is based on the severity and frequency of symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, panic attacks, chronic sleep impairment, flattened affect, disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, suicidal ideation (with no intent), obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities, and impaired impulse control.

The Board has determined that the VA opinions provided are inadequate and remands the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion addressing whether OSA was caused or aggravated by PTSD, and considering the Veteran's exposure to burn pits during service.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral flat feet due to lack of new and relevant evidence. The PTSD rating remains denied as the Veteran's symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further consideration, including a referral to the Director of Compensation Service for TDIU and DEA benefits prior to April 24, 2018.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. The issues include verifying in-service stressors related to his submarine service.

The Board has restored a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD with Alcohol Use Disorder from October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021. The evidence shows that the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work did not improve during this period.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for an award of SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board denied a higher initial rating for PTSD, currently rated at 50 percent. The Veteran's symptoms include depression, anxiety, suspiciousness, and chronic sleep impairment, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding the Veteran's claims for various disabilities, including femoral acetabular impingement syndrome of the left hip with bursitis with limitation of flexion, right and left knee disabilities, and a psychiatric disorder. The Veteran withdrew her appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with adjustment disorder, mixed anxiety, and a depressed mood is being remanded due to the need for further VA psychiatric evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate medical opinions in the February 2020 VA examination.

The Veteran was granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD prior to March 1, 2011.,The Veteran was also granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD prior to March 29, 2019.

The Veteran's PTSD, insomnia, and anxiety have been granted service connection.,Increased ratings for the Veteran's back disability and sciatic nerve radiculopathy are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes was denied, and the Board found that there is no current disability of diabetes. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted as his PTSD and gout disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve), and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were granted effective September 6, 2019. The claim for PTSD was also granted with an effective date of September 6, 2019.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, specifically PTSD, are rated at 70 percent for the entire period on appeal. The rating is granted but not higher.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU are being remanded due to the failure to provide a VA examination before the February 2024 rating decision, which may have affected the accuracy of the assigned ratings.