PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, back pain, left thumb disability, and PTSD due to missing service treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding the ratings for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD as the appellant requested withdrawal of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in June 2008, but the Veteran did not continuously pursue this claim. The effective date of March 6, 2022, is based on when VA received the formal claim filed following a previous final denial. Therefore, an earlier effective date cannot be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in duty to assist and incorrect service connection standards. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder. The claim will be reconsidered with new evidence and appropriate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating more than 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board will request the Veteran to provide any relevant private medical records, specifically from St. Clair Community Mental Health.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of September 30, 2017 for a 70% rating for PTSD. However, the claim for a higher rating in excess of 70% for PTSD is still pending and requires further review.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for TMJ was denied as his interincisal range did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) was also denied, with the Board finding that the Veteran had stopped working on March 20, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, prostate cancer, and left knee disability is denied due to lack of new and relevant evidence. The VA has remanded the cases for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with MDD was granted in August 2022, and the effective date is set at June 2, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The VA is required to provide a new examination in both cases.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial 70 percent evaluation throughout the appeal period, with a focus on occupational and social impairment in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 11, 2022 for service connection for tinnitus was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 11, 2022 for a 70 percent rating for PTSD was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 11, 2022 for a 40 percent rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied.

The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD is dismissed as a free-standing claim.,The appeal seeking to revise or reverse the November 4, 2009 rating decision that denied service connection for depression and anxiety reaction is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a pituitary tumor and an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder were denied. Effective dates for service connection prior to September 17, 2019 for post-traumatic arthritis, residuals of fracture, right ring finger, and post-traumatic arthritis, residuals of fracture, right little finger were also denied.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, insomnia, and PTSD is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted a 10 percent rating. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, however diagnosed and claimed as PTSD, is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent disability rating was dismissed due to the appeal being improperly docketed.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for headaches was denied. The claims for service connection for depression with sleep disorder, dizziness, right lower extremity shin splint, and PTSD were all granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with residual of TBI and opioid and stimulant use disorders was granted a rating of 70 percent from March 24, 2021 onward. However, the Veteran's PTSD prior to this date did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The lumbosacral strain issue remains denied.