PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for erectile dysfunction and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, are dismissed as the Veteran requested to withdraw his pending claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating. The Veteran also sought a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD, but this was denied as well.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD is as likely as not attributable to his service-connected PTSD and panic disorder, granting the claim for service connection.

The reduction of the evaluation for post-concussive headaches from 30% to 10% was not proper, and the Veteran's claim is granted. The entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for irritable bowel syndrome is denied. The right shoulder disability remains remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, and sleep apnea are denied due to a lack of credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss is remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder beginning November 4, 2021, is granted. Service connection for sinusitis is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the appeal period began, but his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for GERD due to a lack of adequate medical nexus opinion addressing causation and aggravation.

The Board has found that the May 2020 VA examiner did not address potentially favorable evidence from a March 9, 2020 PTSD questionnaire. The Veteran's symptoms are being remanded for further medical development to determine if they meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD or any other mental disorder under the DSM-5 criteria.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was received on April 9, 2022. As the July 2019 denial of service connection for anxiety, stress disorder, and sleep disturbance became final one year prior to the April 2022 claim, an earlier effective date is not warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board has dismissed it.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, and the effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits were granted on October 18, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for PTSD and left wrist disability were denied as the earliest date of claim is not earlier than the dates of the respective decisions.,The Veteran filed her initial claims in December 2005 and June 7, 2002 respectively. The April 2019 and March 2017 rating decisions became final due to lack of appeal or new and material evidence within one year.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The claims for left and right lower extremity femoral nerve neuritis are denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100% rating effective February 5, 2022. Additionally, the Veteran is granted SMC housebound benefits starting from February 5, 2022.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for GERD secondary to PTSD with TBI is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors and the need for a more specific medical opinion regarding causation and aggravation.

The Board dismissed the proposal to reduce the rating for PTSD from 50% to 30%. The reduction had not yet occurred, and thus the appeal was premature.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of outstanding service treatment records.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed due to duty-to-assist errors, and the case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.