PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not warrant a higher rating, his bilateral flatfoot and left shoulder condition do not meet the criteria for service connection, and there was insufficient evidence to reopen previously denied claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and its relation to service-connected conditions. The appellant seeks service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, which includes an undiagnosed mental health disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder claims are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.,For the right and left upper extremity nerve conditions, additional development is needed to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from July 16, 2013. All service connection claims are remanded.

The appeal as to an increased rating for PTSD is dismissed. The issue of service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding that there was no formal or informal claim prior to December 7, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The Board will consider whether his sleep apnea is related to in-service events, or caused by or aggravated by his service-connected allergic rhinitis and/or unspecified anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is partially granted, with a 70 percent rating for PTSD and remanded for further evaluation of his right knee condition. The issues to be addressed are the increased ratings for both conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's mental health conditions began during his active duty and are related to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 100% effective March 1, 2015. The VA also granted Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits effective the same date.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder prior to May 15, 2019 did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent.,Effective May 15, 2019, the Veteran's psychiatric conditions have met the criteria for a 100 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, pinched nerve condition, and an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for back condition prior to October 6, 2014, are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are considered to be so severe that they prevent him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to Military Sexual Trauma (MST) was granted with an effective date of April 4, 2016.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 20% rating from March 23, 2023. The Board finds reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran's hypertension warranting this increased rating.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) is granted.

The Veteran's Hashimoto's thyroiditis is currently rated as zero percent disabling due to normal thyroid function.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (unspecified anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder) has been increased to 70% disabling effective July 2, 2018. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a right shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran did not have a verified in-service stressor or injury leading to these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD, persistent depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder have been rated at 100 percent effective September 12, 2018. The rating for his right upper extremity radiculopathy is denied, as is the rating for his left upper extremity radiculopathy.

An effective date of October 26, 2011 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for hemorrhoids and TDIU prior to January 26, 2022 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.