PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeal for service connection for OSA, including as secondary to chronic adjustment disorder, is remanded.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, which was now claimed as MST.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his right shoulder strain is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a bilateral eye disability, cervical spine disability (claimed as cervical strain), lumbar spine disability (claimed as lumbar strain), right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and bilateral plantar fasciitis are remanded. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than an insomnia disorder (to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)) is also remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for TBI, PTSD, and various orthopedic disabilities have been granted. The cases are now remanded for further development.,The Board has determined that new evidence supports reopening the claims but cannot definitively link the conditions to service without additional examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective July 21, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting a VA examination. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include PTSD, major depressive disorder, cervical strain, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with thoracic scoliosis, hemorrhoids, left knee strain, tinnitus, painful left foot scar, degenerative joint disease of the left foot with hallux valgus, Crohn's disease status post colectomy, and a right leg condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI is granted a 70% evaluation, effective from the date of the March 2018 rating decision. Service connection for a prostate condition and entitlement to special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability are all remanded for further examination. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but not higher. The Board found that the disability does not meet criteria for a higher rating due to insufficient evidence of total occupational and social impairment.,For lumbar spine disability, the Veteran was granted an increased rating to 20 percent effective March 10, 2018. The current rating is based on forward flexion limited to 45 degrees with no ankylosis or incapacitating episodes due to intervertebral disc syndrome.,For right ankle disability, a 10 percent rating was granted effective March 10, 2018. The Veteran's disability is characterized by moderate ankle symptoms including painful motion and limited dorsiflexion and plantar flexion.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD is granted. The case is remanded for additional examinations and opinions regarding TBI residuals, secondary service connection, and psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, TDIU, and VA nonservice connected pension benefits are being remanded due to incomplete service records. The Board requests that the National Personnel Records Center verify her Army Reserve duty periods and obtain any associated medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and consideration of his claims, including those related to migraines and PTSD with TBI residuals.,A decision on the issues will significantly impact the Veteran's entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has decided that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Bipolar Disorder, are not currently service-connected. The case is being sent back for further examination to determine if these conditions were present during or related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's bilateral retinitis pigmentosa and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are granted as service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran had a current disability, established continuity of symptoms since service, and provided sufficient medical evidence to establish a relationship between his in-service stressor and his current conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for further evaluation due to a recent statement indicating worsening symptoms, including suicide attempts and auditory verbal hallucinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder and TBI, as well as his initial rating for tension headaches, was denied. The appeal is remanded for further action on the issue of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records from the San Jose Vet Center. The Veteran's entitlement to accrued benefits for PTSD is pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from May 4, 2016, to July 24, 2017, is dismissed as moot because he was already receiving a 100% disability rating for PTSD. The SMC claim prior to July 25, 2017, is also dismissed due to the Veteran's other service-connected disabilities not meeting the required criteria.