PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and MDD), angina pectoris, diabetes mellitus, type II, and CAD. The reasons include lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if he has a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and whether it can be differentiated from his PTSD.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, but granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision is based on the lack of a nexus between current mental health problems and service, while finding that exposure to noise during service supports service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with alcohol use and cannabis use disorders was denied, as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating. The Board found that his level of occupational and social impairment was consistent with a 30 percent rating. For TDIU, the Veteran's appeal was also denied due to lack of evidence showing he is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for PTSD with substance abuse and neurocognitive disorder with traumatic brain injury, finding that it was not factually ascertainable that the Veteran met the criteria for such a rating prior to January 23, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unresolved issues regarding in-service stressors, medical opinions needed, and verification of certain conditions. The appeals are now pending again with the VA.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings and service connection related to multiple conditions, including PTSD, TBI, low back disability, radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, hearing loss, and a left orbital contusion. The Board has determined that these issues require additional development due to incomplete records and need further examination.

The Board has granted the appellant's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The bar to benefits due to dishonorable discharge is lifted, and the appellant is now eligible for VA compensation benefits.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to continuity of symptomatology since discharge.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the evidence does not establish a nexus between in-service noise exposure and current hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, necessitating the use of a cane or wheelchair as a normal mode of locomotion. The Board has granted eligibility for specially adapted housing based on this finding.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the evidence provided by DPRIS, and a new attempt at corroboration of the Veteran's claimed stressor is needed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his psychiatric disability, excluding the period from May 3, 2017 to June 30, 2017 when he was awarded a 100% evaluation due to PTSD hospitalization, is granted. A TDIU is also granted for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD and diabetes mellitus have worsened since their last examinations. The Board has found that a remand is necessary to obtain new VA examinations for these conditions.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has also worsened since his last examination. A remand is required to obtain a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran requests service connection for erectile dysfunction, which may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and herbicide agent exposure. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction was caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran also seeks service connection for RLS, which he claims may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and herbicide agent exposure. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum medical opinion to determine whether the Veteran's RLS was caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran also seeks service connection for fibromyalgia, which he claims may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and herbicide agent exposure. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because the claimed in-service stressors were not verified and he did not engage in combat with the enemy.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the claim for a higher rating has been denied.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, Anxiety disorder, and Depression as the evidence did not show a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to August 15, 2017, on an extraschedular basis was denied as he did not meet the economic and non-economic components of a valid TDIU claim under Ray v. Wilkie.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a 50% rating, but no higher. The heart disability and hypertension are granted effective from August 10, 2022.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection. The initial evaluation for PTSD remains at 50 percent, and the initial compensable evaluation for sialolithiasis is denied. Other issues regarding service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertensive retinopathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The initial rating for diabetes mellitus remains at 10 percent prior to April 13, 2023 and at 20 percent thereafter. Other claims are remanded.