PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and denied all other service connection claims. Service connection was not granted for tinnitus, chronic sinusitis/rhinitis, pes planus, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), hypertension (HTN), or ulcers.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings of PTSD prior to December 30, 2016, and thereafter. The Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding service treatment records not being obtained. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, lumbosacral strain, bilateral hearing loss, cervical strain, PTSD, and a right lower extremity sciatic nerve disorder.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that her current diagnosis is related to an in-service sexual assault and supporting evidence of behavioral changes following the described stressor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was received on May 29, 2009. An effective date of May 29, 2009, is granted for the grant of service connection for PTSD with alcohol use disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) from December 23, 2002, to May 16, 2012. The case is being returned to the RO for further development and an addendum opinion.

Service connection is granted for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and manic depression.,Service connection is also granted for a low back disability. However, service connection for sinusitis or allergies and headaches remains pending as additional evidence is needed.

The Veteran is granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective from the date of his claim.,The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder was denied. The Board found that there was no formal or informal claim prior to July 24, 2007. For the increased rating and TDIU claims, the Veteran is currently service-connected for PTSD with major depressive disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, temporomandibular joint syndrome, hypertension, lumbar strain, bilateral shoulder disabilities, a left ankle disability, GERD, a left knee disability, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, bilateral tinea pedis, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board found that the Veteran was unemployable from May 25, 2010 to March 6, 2013 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and a psychiatric disability (posttraumatic stress disorder). The VA examinations are required to address whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and a left shoulder disability have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for either condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.

The Board dismissed the appeals of the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his death.

The Board has dismissed the issues of entitlement to increased evaluations for PTSD and bowel impairment, as well as earlier effective dates. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent effective September 10, 2010. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected PTSD or residuals of service-connected facial injuries is granted.

The Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral vascular disease was not rated higher than 20% prior to September 22, 2020 and 40% thereafter.,The Veteran's PTSD was not rated higher than 50% prior to September 14, 2020 and 70% thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal of his service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is pending in the legacy review system. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s adjustment disorder was less likely than not incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service injury, event, or illness. Therefore, a new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD from June 10, 2008 has been withdrawn by his attorney.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss were denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD prior to February 24, 2020 was also denied. However, the Veteran received a TDIU from April 7, 2014 to February 24, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD and entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.