PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for PTSD and service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are at least as likely as not related to her in-service military sexual assault.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of 30% for Irritable Bowel Syndrome is dismissed. An initial rating of 70% for PTSD, effective October 27, 2023, is granted. The appeals for TDIU and SMC are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 100 percent evaluation for service-connected PTSD is denied as there are no earlier claims for increased rating and the evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment prior to January 29, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other specified trauma and stressor related disorders, based on the Veteran's reported in-service traumatic experiences.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and MDD, as well as headaches. The evidence supports the Veteran's claims of in-service stressors leading to these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and entitlement to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service onset or association with service, and concluded that the Veteran's current sleep apnea is not related to his PTSD. For the TDIU claim, the Board determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing and maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has withdrawn the appeal for service connection for erectile dysfunction and is remanding the claims for acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disability, and gout. The Veteran's PTSD and trauma- and stressor-related disorder are granted as service-connected. Service connection for a lumbar spine disability is also granted. However, the claim for service connection for gout requires further examination due to inadequate previous VA opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on the Veteran's in-service stressors, including his daughter's death and deployment to Somalia. The decision is based on direct evidence of a current disability due to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's TBI with PTSD is granted a rating of 70 percent, effective June 30, 2020. The Veteran is also granted TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable evaluations for right knee scars and residuals of right knee injury post-operative arthroscopy, extension have been dismissed. The appeal for an increased rating for PTSD has also been dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating as there was no evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is granted a 70 percent rating, but the GSW residuals to the right buttock are denied any increase in rating.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to October 19, 2020. The Board found her symptoms more closely approximated those for a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of May 6, 2024 for the service connection of left cheek scar, PTSD, and headaches based on the Veteran's intent to file a claim.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to errors in the pre-decisional file, including a lack of earnings statements from SSA and missing vocational rehabilitation records. The AOJ will need to correct these issues before making a final determination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD with major depressive disorder and cannabis use disorder was denied as there was no continuous pursuit of the issue within one year of the July 18, 2022 rating decision.

The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating. The appeal for TDIU based on the disabling effects of PTSD with bipolar disorder is dismissed as moot.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to obtain necessary medical records from Samaritan Center. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered with the new information.