PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU rating is denied as there was no pending unadjudicated claim at the time of his May 2019 increased rating claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a rating of 70 percent effective from February 27, 2012, until October 21, 2019. A higher rating is not warranted for this period.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for insomnia, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and depression disorders), and PTSD due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's service records and treatment records received after July 2022 need to be considered.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to December 16, 2020 and increased to 70 percent from that date. The appeal is denied for a higher rating.,TDIU was granted effective December 16, 2020, but the Veteran does not meet the schedular threshold for TDIU at any point prior to this date. The appeal is denied for an earlier effective date.,The Veteran's Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) eligibility was granted effective December 16, 2020, and the appeal is denied for an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence to adjudicate the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms have been variously assessed as major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and PTSD. There is a history of in-service stressors that may be associated with his current psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran was granted TDIU benefits from July 11, 2018, to March 26, 2019, and eligibility for DEA as of July 11, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for COPD and PTSD, as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder claim due to a duty-to-assist error in the March 2021 VA examination. The Veteran needs an adequate VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his COPD and his acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an eating disorder, fatigue (secondary to PTSD), foot pain, post-traumatic osteoarthritis, and a right shoulder condition are denied. The Board has remanded the cases due to duty-to-assist errors.,The Veteran's claims of residuals from a back injury, right hip disability including femoral acetabular impingement syndrome and tendinitis, left hip condition, and right ankle disability (including lateral collateral ligament sprain) are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including anxiety, PTSD, depression, allergies, a right leg disability, bilateral shoulder disabilities, carpal tunnel syndrome, hair loss, sleep apnea, and low back and neck disabilities are denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is not considered a current disability under VA criteria.,There is no credible evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, related to service. The Veteran did not identify any in-service stressors or events.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 30, 2019 for the award of a 100 percent rating for PTSD with moderate alcohol use disorder and moderate cannabis use disorder is denied.

The Veteran's rating for PTSD and MDD was improperly reduced from 100% to 70%, and the 100% rating is restored.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent or above is not warranted due to his symptoms not meeting the criteria for such an increase.

The Board has granted a 100% disability rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder) effective July 29, 2019. The decision is mixed as some conditions were granted while others were not.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD is denied.,Service connection for mild cardiomegaly as secondary to PTSD is denied.,The Board has ordered remand for further action on the issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on current symptomatology.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 11, 2020, for a 50 percent evaluation of PTSD with TBI is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent evaluation for a neck scar disability from November 15, 2011, is denied.,The Veteran's initial claim for an effective date prior to November 15, 2011, for a neck disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for RUE radiculopathy prior to June 11, 2020, is dismissed as the AOJ granted a full grant of benefits on this issue.,The Veteran's claim for a 20 percent evaluation for a lumbar spine disability from November 15, 2011, through June 11, 2020, is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD and alcohol use disorder are being remanded for further evaluation, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his psychiatric condition. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also being remanded due to the Veteran's reported employment difficulties.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of access to certain medical records stored in Vista Imaging or similar repositories. The AOJ is instructed to obtain and associate with the claims file complete updated clinical records, including those from VA and non-VA treatment providers.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran also received an award of TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.