PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, is related to his military service. Service connection for these conditions has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to military sexual assault is granted. The claims for any other acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, sleep apnea, and a digestive disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD, thoracolumbar spine strain, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in November 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting evidence regarding PTSD diagnosis and the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying in-service stressors.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, and 20 percent each for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been withdrawn. The claims for an earlier effective date prior to April 22, 2010 for GERD are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new evidence, and it is now granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to November 23, 2016. From that date until May 25, 2020, a 70 percent rating was granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is dismissed as the symptoms are encompassed by his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection has been granted for erectile dysfunction, which is secondary to service-connected PTSD.

Service connection for hypertension is granted, presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents during service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied as the evidence does not meet VA's definition of 'hearing impairment' for compensation purposes.,Service connection for brain lesion is denied as there is no reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim with the requisite degree of probability that it was caused by presumptive exposure to Agent Orange or otherwise related to service.,A rating of 100 percent (total disability due to individual unemployability) for PTSD is granted, based on total social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the claim for a compensable rating is denied.,Service connection has been granted for bilateral pes planus disorder. The condition preexisted service but increased in severity during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of the Veteran's VR&E claim, including obtaining her entire VR&E file and conducting a vocational rehabilitation evaluation. The matter will be further developed before being reconsidered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The issues include reopening claims for service connection for various conditions and seeking higher disability ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as other conditions were denied. The Veteran was granted increased ratings for his PTSD and right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The appeals of the denials of service connection for hypertension, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are dismissed. Service connection for chronic kidney disease is granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, anxiety disorder and PTSD, resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but did not more closely approximate total occupational and total social impairment. The Veteran was granted increased disability ratings for their psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is now rated at 100 percent effective November 12, 2019, due to worsening symptoms including panic attacks more than once a week, suicidal ideation, impaired impulse control, and persistent delusions or hallucinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and records. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for a pituitary tumor status post resection/removal and an initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD since December 9, 2020. The issues of an initial rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD prior to December 9, 2020, and the TDIU from January 21, 2010 to December 9, 2020 were also dismissed.