PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU were denied, but he was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD prior to March 6, 2021, and higher than 70 percent thereafter was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD symptomatology did not more nearly approximate total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate reasons or bases for denying service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's reports of in-service stressors and current symptoms are considered, but further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's reported in-service stressor is related to his fear of hostile military activity and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, has been reopened and granted. The issues of an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU have been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and tinnitus have been granted a compensable rating of 40 percent. The TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, gout, a mammary gland disorder, diverticulitis, and hypertension as there was no credible evidence to support the claimed in-service stressors or other etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to PTSD and thoracic back strain and its medications, is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for chronic thoracic back strain remains denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support ankylosis or functional equivalent thereof.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of a claimed stressor and inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected conditions have been dismissed. The Veteran withdrew her appeal of the denial of higher ratings for right knee limited motion, left knee limited motion, right knee instability, for a scar of the right knee, and for allergic rhinitis.,Her request for an effective date earlier than February 26, 2020 for the 10 percent rating previously assigned for allergic rhinitis was also dismissed. The Veteran's appeal for increased PTSD to 70 percent has been granted.

The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for scars under both eyes, painful scar under left eye, and painful left inguinal scar associated with TBI have been denied.,Prior to June 3, 2021, the Veteran's headaches were not productive of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks. After June 3, 2021, his headaches did not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI has caused total occupational and social impairment since February 11, 2008. The Board granted a 100% disability rating for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected dermatitis is granted, with a current rating of 70 percent.,While the Veteran's MDD with PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since July 9, 2021, his appeal for an increased disability rating remains denied. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU based on service-connected MDD with PTSD and SMC at the housebound rate prior to October 22, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to a failure to address VA treatment records, duty to assist, and consideration of lay statements regarding symptomatology. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal of the increased rating for PTSD was withdrawn. The Board granted a TDIU from April 8, 2014, based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The case is remanded for additional examinations regarding cervical strain and migraine headaches, and to determine if extraschedular consideration is warranted for the TDIU prior to April 8, 2014.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to military sexual trauma (MST) and service connection for this condition is granted. The lumbar spine disability claim is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors occurred. The Veteran was not deployed to Iraq and Kuwait as he claimed, nor were there any records corroborating his reported combat exposure.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, to include depression and PTSD, was denied for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent prior to April 12, 2018, but granted a 50 percent rating from that date. The appeal is remanded for further consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence. The issues include left elbow and wrist disabilities, sleep disorder (OSA), bilateral hearing loss, psychiatric disorders, and hepatitis C.