PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was dismissed because the appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, right knee patellar tendonitis, and left knee patellar tendonitis and plica irritation. The other conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder have been rated at 100% since August 31, 2016.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not require regular aid and assistance or render him housebound.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected back disability.,His acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD with major depressive disorder, is also granted as secondary to his service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, anxiety, depression, right shoulder disability, and right wrist disability are remanded due to the submission of new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims. The Board finds insufficient competent medical evidence to adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for his acquired psychiatric disorders and right shoulder and right wrist disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the claims for service connection of various conditions, including right ankle, cervical spine, right hip, head injuries (including headaches), acquired psychiatric disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, bilateral pes planus, and Parkinson's disease. The VA will obtain relevant records from SSA and VA treatment providers and conduct new examinations to provide a clear determination on these claims.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate development, including failing to schedule a VA examination for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. The issue of service connection for a sleep disturbance disability is deferred until further development on the psychiatric disorders is completed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied due to the lack of corroborated in-service stressor. The right knee disability claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, right knee, and PTSD disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to November 30, 2018. The Board has remanded the matter for extraschedular TDIU consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by total occupational and social impairment from March 30, 2012 to October 8, 2012. The Veteran is granted a disability evaluation of 100 percent for this period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a special home adaptation grant due to her lack of blindness, loss or use of both hands, severe burn injury, and an inhalation injury resulting in total disability.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective January 31, 2018. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him since approximately January 31, 2017.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD effective March 30, 2015, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were related to his military service and confirming a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for VA examinations and opinions to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorder and bilateral foot disability clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service or were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since May 16, 2019. The Board also granted TDIU effective from the same date.

The Veteran's migraines, which are secondary to her service-connected PTSD and/or tinnitus, have been granted. Her insomnia is considered a symptom of her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of PTSD with panic disorder without agoraphobia and TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a separation opinion on the effects of service-connected conditions from non-service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for vertigo, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), conjunctivitis, epididymitis, rash around thighs with pain, right ear otitis, second degree heart block, and PTSD as there is no current evidence of these conditions.,The Board also denied service connection for a left shoulder condition, left sciatica, right lower extremity paralysis, right ankle fracture, and right hand fracture due to the lack of current disability.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The Veteran's conditions include PTSD, a painful irritable eye condition, sleep disturbance with mild apnea, headaches, left knee pain, right knee pain, neck pain, numbness and light headedness, right ankle pain, right hip disability, stomach issues (GERD and gastroparesis), degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and hearing loss. The claims are being remanded for further evaluation.