PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted from May 8, 2014 to January 14, 2016 due to his service-connected disabilities. However, the issue of entitlement to TDIU from January 14, 2016 is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's initial claim for PTSD was denied in October 2015, but service connection was granted with an effective date of August 27, 2018. The Veteran is currently rated at a 50% disability rating for PTSD as of August 4, 2023.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as there was no new and relevant evidence received subsequent to the February 2018 rating decision.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to July 6, 2017.,From July 6, 2017 to September 12, 2017, the Veteran received a 70 percent rating for PTSD due to persistent suicidal ideation and other symptoms of reduced reliability and productivity.,From January 1, 2018 to May 1, 2019, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent based on his current symptomatology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with dissociative symptoms and persistent depressive disorder was also denied due to the lack of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected based on a confirmed in-service stressor.,Service connection for lumbosacral strain is granted, with the opinion being approximately evenly balanced.,Service connection for residuals of head injury (TBI, headaches, and blurry vision) is remanded due to inadequate medical examination.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of October 29, 2015 for the grant of service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for her left hip disability and service connection for psychiatric disabilities and drug addiction is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred, specifically involving being shot at or rocks thrown at him during his time in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings of PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The cases for left-hand, left leg, left shoulder, and neck disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion. The case for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for low back strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot because he is already receiving a combined 100 percent schedular rating for multiple service-connected disabilities.

All claims for increased ratings are granted. Effective January 13, 2016, the Veteran is granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and a rating of 70 percent for TBI. Ratings of 30 percent are granted for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy with femoral nerve involvement effective November 29, 2021. The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 30 percent prior to May 30, 2023, and 50 percent from that date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for IBS and dysthymic disorder were denied due to failure to attend scheduled VA examinations without providing good cause.,Service connection claims for cardiovascular, bipolar, and PTSD disorders were also denied as the evidence did not support a finding of an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran is granted an initial 70 percent rating for PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, and cocaine use disorder. The effective date remains March 18, 2011.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of PTSD and right shoulder condition due to potential worsening symptoms since their last examinations. The Veteran will need new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability, skin disability, and PTSD as there was no credible evidence of in-service stressors or exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's statements regarding his alleged exposures were found to be inaccurate.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's claimed stressors for PTSD. The claim will be returned for further development.