PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding the relationship between any current acquired psychiatric disorder and service, specifically a claimed in-service personal assault. The Veteran's contentions are that he did not report or seek treatment for this assault because he feared it would complicate his discharge.

The Veteran's PTSD with OCD is rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Other conditions have also been evaluated and no higher ratings are warranted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension have been denied. A TDIU has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 2, 2015, for TDIU was denied as the evidence did not show actual worsening within one year prior to his March 2, 2015, claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for other specified depressive disorder, PTSD, anxiety, depression, nightmares, and sleep issues was dismissed as untimely.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and migraines have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 27, 2022. A TDIU is granted from that date.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including PTSD, eye disability, nose disability, gum disease, COPD, respiratory disability, kidney disease, and foot disabilities due to a lack of credible evidence supporting the occurrence of in-service stressors or injuries.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted for the claim of entitlement to TDIU, which is being remanded. The issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is also being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70% to 50%, effective July 1, 2021. The reduction is upheld as the evidence showed improvement in his condition.

The appeal regarding the proposed change in effective date for a 70% PTSD rating and reinstatement of the initial 30% rating is dismissed as not being an adjudicative determination by VA.

The Veteran's request to readjudicate the claim for service connection of a right hand condition has been granted.,Service connection is granted for allergic rhinitis, with the presumption that it was aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for basic eligibility for VA home loan guaranty benefits was denied as she did not meet the criteria for an exception to the total service duration requirement, and her discharge from active duty was due to personal reasons unrelated to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective September 30, 2022. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability was denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Major depressive disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support the occurrence of the in-service personal assaults he reported. The current diagnoses of these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran is granted SMC at the rate of 50% for his service-connected conditions from April 20, 2020 to June 7, 2021.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, as well as for hypothyroidism. The reasons include a duty to assist error in not obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions and potential exposure to radiation during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to require regular aid and attendance, but he does not meet the criteria for SMC based on the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for further development, including verification of in-service stressors and toxic exposure assessments. The Board also requests a VA examination to address the etiology of his diagnosed mental health conditions and vertigo.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 23, 2009 for the grant of a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities preventing the Veteran from securing and following substantially gainful employment.