PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals through his attorney in August 2020.

The Board has determined that the current VA examination and opinion are inadequate for determining whether urinary incontinence is secondary to service-connected PTSD. The case is being remanded for a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of PTSD was dismissed. The Board granted service connection for a low back condition, finding it at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has granted reopening of the Veteran's claims for right shoulder, left shoulder, neck, and back conditions as well as PTSD. The evidence supports a finding that these conditions began during service and are at least as likely as not caused by in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied, and his eczema and unspecified insomnia and depressive disorder were granted with increased ratings. The effective dates for these decisions are May 17, 2018.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent for the entire appeal period, and his TDIU claim is rendered moot due to this rating. The effective date of the increased rating remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective July 23, 2014. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's PTSD symptoms more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD and lumbar spine disability are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings, with the exception of a separate noncompensable rating for moderate paralysis of the external cutaneous nerve of the thigh of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, now characterized as posttraumatic stress disorder, is rated at 70 percent from April 9, 2018. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability has been granted on a schedular basis since May 19, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's condition did not onset in-service or manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation.,Service connection was also denied for a left knee disorder due to lack of evidence showing continuity of symptomatology since service. The Board noted that the Veteran's current diagnosis is most likely age-related.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified schizophrenia and other psychotic disorder is granted.,Service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings were denied. The lumbar spine disability rating was restored, but the headaches claim was not granted an earlier effective date.

The Board has found that the VA examination did not adequately comply with the June 2020 remand directives and requires an addendum medical opinion to address all psychiatric disabilities present during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, right ankle disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) have been denied. The evidence does not establish that the current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has decided to remand both his claim for a higher rating and his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and granted. The claim for an increased rating of PTSD was also granted, with a rating of 70 percent effective as of July 31, 2020.

The Board has decided that the claims for service connection and compensation ratings need to be reconsidered due to new evidence added to the record.

The Veteran's PTSD with schizophrenia has been assigned a maximum 100 percent evaluation since December 22, 2015. As such, there is no issue remaining in controversy regarding the appeal for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety, and other specified trauma related disorder, is granted as service connected. The claim for fibromyalgia remains pending due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated as 100% disabling since May 11, 2008. From January 7, 2016, the Veteran had additional disabilities that were separately rated at 60% or more disabling. The Board found no evidence of substantial confinement to his dwelling and immediate premises due to service-connected conditions.