PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left knee disability, and left ankle disability. The cases are remanded to allow for further development and examination.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 26, 2018 for the award of service connection for PTSD. The claims for degenerative arthritis of the left and right hands are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, specifically other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder and PTSD, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his disability does not more closely approximate the criteria for a 50 percent or higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for SMC at the housebound rate prior to February 3, 2020 was denied as he did not meet the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) due to his entitlement to a TDIU based on multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional verification of stressors and a VA medical opinion on the etiology of any diagnosed condition.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is reopened, but service connection remains denied.,The Veteran's right foot disorder claim is reopened, but service connection remains denied.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted based on chronicity of symptoms after separation from service.,Service connection for fibromyalgia is denied as there is no current diagnosis and the evidence does not support a link to service.,Service connection for left foot disorder is denied due to lack of in-service event, injury or disease.,Service connection for cervical spine disorder is remanded.,Small bowel intussusception claim is remanded.,Headache disorder (including migraine and tension) claim is remanded.,Thoracolumbar spine disorder claim is remanded.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy claim is remanded.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy claim is remanded.,Erectile dysfunction claim is remanded.,Undifferentiated spondyloarthritis (claimed as right shoulder pain, left shoulder pain, etc.) claim is remanded.

For the entire period on appeal, an initial rating of 100 percent for PTSD was granted.,The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to January 10, 2018 is rendered moot due to the award of a total (100 percent) schedular rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD and bipolar disorder are etiologically related to his in-service stressor, which is considered credible. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for anxiety disorder, PTSD, and major depressive disorder due to outstanding medical records and the need for a VA mental disorders evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, skin cancer of the head, and PTSD due to potential issues with verifying exposure to herbicide agents and a stressor. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding the PTSD claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for PTSD, and the Board has dismissed it.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for PTSD and service connection for rheumatoid arthritis have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased ratings of left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and right knee surgical scars. The appeal for an increased rating of PTSD was also dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD, finding that no claim was filed prior to August 6, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his PTSD, hearing loss, stroke, numbness of the feet, and TDIU prior to March 18, 2020.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30% and the Board has denied a higher rating.,His hypertension is currently rated as noncompensable (0%) and the Board has also denied an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, and knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was not presented to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further review due to conflicting medical opinions and need for additional verification of in-service stressor. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including MDD and PTSD, are being evaluated.

The Board has decided that the remand for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea is necessary due to inadequate development and findings in previous opinions.