PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to MST and trauma disorder, is remanded as the VA examination provided by the examiner lacks probative value. The Board finds that a new VA examination is necessary to address whether the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and remanded the issues of service connection for colitis, cellulitis, and earlier effective date for PTSD. The Veteran's symptoms were rated as consistent with a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring an opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his weight gain and if that contributed to his sleep apnea.

Service connection for PTSD, a bilateral ankle disability, and a disability manifested by shortness of breath other than asthma was denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim was dismissed as the AOJ had already granted eligibility for treatment under 38 U.S.C. § 1702 in an earlier decision.,TDIU claim was dismissed because the AOJ had already granted the Veteran's eligibility for treatment under 38 U.S.C. § 1702, which effectively resolved this issue.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to PTSD, with obesity as an intermediary step. The decision is based on a lack of adequate medical examination and opinion regarding the relationship between OSA, PTSD, and obesity.

Service connection for PTSD is granted, effective January 13, 2020.,A 100% rating for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety disorder and PTSD) is granted, effective from January 13, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for SMC housebound benefits is denied as he does not have a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent disabling. The Board finds the evidence at the time of the AOJ decision was inconclusive regarding the need for aid and attendance, necessitating further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for separate disability ratings for TBI and PTSD, finding that the symptoms are not distinct enough to warrant separate evaluations.

The Veteran's claim for a 70 percent rating for PTSD and MDD was granted. The appeal of the cervical strain issue is dismissed due to procedural defects, and the thoracolumbar strain with IVDS issue is also dismissed as it was not properly appealed.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded due to an inadequate examination report. The Board will schedule the Veteran for a new examination and consider all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, anxiety, and headaches are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for OSA, to include as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for revision of the April and October 2014 rating decisions denying service connection for PTSD due to MST, finding that there was clear and unmistakable error in these decisions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, to include PTSD, and tinnitus. The Board found that there was no evidence of a stressor related to his military service and insufficient medical evidence linking current symptoms to service.,The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus type II is remanded as it involves secondary service connection based on toxic exposure risk activity.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD is denied as there was no evidence of record showing the condition met the criteria for such a rating within one year prior to February 15, 2022.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD due to a missing stressor incident. The AOJ is instructed to make additional efforts to obtain relevant records from the Federal Archives and Records Center.

The Veteran's PTSD with insomnia disorder and TBI have been rated, but the GERD/IBS/colonic polyps issues are being remanded for further development. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His TBI is rated at 10 percent, also not meeting the criteria for a higher rating. The GERD/IBS/colonic polyps issues are being remanded and will be considered in their own right.

The Veteran's appeals to reduce the disability ratings for left hip joint replacement, right hip joint replacement, and bilateral hearing loss were dismissed. The appeal of his PTSD was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied an increased rating for PTSD, finding that the severity of symptoms more nearly approximated a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were granted effective January 30, 2015. The Board found that the Veteran met the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to this date due to his service-connected PTSD and tinnitus.