PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD and MDD prior to December 15, 2021 is denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher than 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the entitlement to service connection of PTSD is granted from January 7, 2020, the date that the Veteran's ITF was received by VA.

The appeal of the proposal to reduce the disability rating for service-connected PTSD from 70 percent disabling to 50 percent is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for shortness of breath and sleep apnea due to service connection is remanded.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to service connection and increased disability ratings, including those for PTSD, right shoulder strain, right ankle tendinosis, facial scarring due to PFB, eczema, bilateral hearing loss, chronic left wrist disability, left ankle sprain, and bilateral eye conditions.

The Veteran's appeal involves the revision of a June 2018 rating decision that combined PTSD and TBI ratings, resulting in a single 70% disability rating. The Veteran argues for separate ratings due to overlapping symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent from November 17, 2017, to April 8, 2021. The claim for a higher rating remains denied as the evidence does not show that his symptoms warrant an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and treatment record review regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, particularly PTSD.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected. The claims for psychiatric disability, right shoulder, left wrist, and low back disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions from previous VA examiners and a need for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including whether it began during service or is related to military service.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted as the evidence supports a finding that it began during service.,Service connection for generalized arthritis and bursitis is denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, claimed as a choking condition is denied because there is no evidence of a current disability related to his in-service illness.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are remanded due to the need for further development regarding the Veteran's alleged stressor.

The Board found that the evidence showed material improvement in the Veteran's PTSD symptoms and their impact on his functioning, leading to a reduction from a 100% rating to a 70% rating. The appeal is denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and tinnitus, need further development due to a lack of an informal DRO telephone conference. The Veteran is requested to schedule an informal DRO hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, previously claimed as depression and bipolar disorder, have been dismissed due to the procedural history indicating a final denial of these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is granted an increased rating of 100 percent effective September 18, 2020. The issue of entitlement to a Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is moot due to the grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to a permanent and total rating for PTSD with insomnia, TBI, and IBS due to a pre-decisional error in obtaining medical opinions on the permanency of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding his psychiatric disability, which may impact his claims for service connection.,His right lower extremity radiculopathy was rated at 10 percent prior to April 13, 2021. The issues of service connection for a psychiatric disability (PTSD) and erectile dysfunction are also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to his occupational and social impairment. The appeal for TDIU has been remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is rated at 70 percent effective April 5, 2021. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is also granted effective April 5, 2021.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea is service connected as secondary to his PTSD. However, due to incomplete opinions from a VA examiner, the case is being sent back for further evaluation.