PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with secondary alcohol use disorder is remanded due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination, as there was a duty to assist error prior to the December 2022 rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD with alcohol use disorder, and tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the regulatory criteria for a current hearing loss disability in either ear, his PTSD symptoms did not warrant an initial rating higher than 50 percent, and his tinnitus met the schedular criteria for a maximum 10 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and thus not meeting the requirement for a current disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective January 5, 2022.,There is no evidence of a prior claim for an increased rating or a factually ascertainable increase in disability before January 5, 2022.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was initially denied in September 2011, but an earlier effective date of June 3, 2011, is granted due to the missed new and material evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of sufficient information in the September 2022 VA examination opinion, and additional evidence needs to be considered.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's jaw disorder (manifesting as bruxism) as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating has been denied.,The Veteran's herniated disc of the lumbar spine (L4-L5) is currently rated at 20 percent. The appeal for an increased rating has also been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence on file, and a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are related to her in-service symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, a somatic disability with symptoms of pain in the bilateral knees and back, and tinnitus have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded for further examination and development.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and TDIU were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate these claims as they are moot.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied as the increase in disability occurred after the May 2022 supplemental decision, and no earlier effective date is warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The claims for hypertension and coronary artery disease, both potentially related to exposure to Agent Orange, are remanded due to lack of evidence on the issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in December 2019, but the Veteran filed a supplemental claim on February 24, 2021. The effective date of service connection is set at February 24, 2021, as this is when VA received the supplemental claim after the previous final denial. There is no legal basis for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a deviated nasal septum has been withdrawn. The Board also denied service connection for left knee disability, IBS, sinusitis, and OSA due to burn pit exposure.,Service connection was not granted for the claimed conditions as there is no current evidence of a nexus between the disabilities and active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder does not meet the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance due to his ability to dress, feed himself, and perform daily activities. He is also not considered housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of May 4, 2021 for service connection of IBS is granted. The Veteran's PTSD disability was granted a higher rating in November 2020 and the claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis with strain received an earlier effective date of November 9, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The case is remanded due to the need for further review of service connection claims.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available.,The Veteran's migraine condition is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available.