PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified depressive disorder and PTSD, is at least as likely as not related to in-service stressors including witnessing a violent assault and being assaulted by a fellow service member. As such, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected right knee degenerative arthritis and posttraumatic stress disorder. The examiner will assess if OSA was caused or aggravated by these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for any of the claimed conditions and thus, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The Board will clarify the circumstances of his service, including whether he served in Panama and had duties related to grave registration.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's PTSD rating was restored to 50% effective November 18, 2020. Her IVDS with degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is granted an increased evaluation to 40%. Right lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to her service-connected IVDS is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for both Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), including MDD as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD is related to traumatic events during service, while his MDD is linked to his PTSD.

The Veteran's right elbow disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected disorders, and PTSD is granted. Bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to his service-connected PTSD has not been reasonably raised by the record and is therefore dismissed. The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 50% disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and a back disability have been remanded due to the need for new VA medical opinions. The effective date of service connection for PTSD has not yet been determined.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with depression is related to military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for a psychiatric disability to include PTSD and an anxiety disorder, other than the service-connected insomnia disorder. The claims for recurrent right shoulder disability, recurrent left shoulder disability, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional error in failing to obtain an adequate VA medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. The AOJ must request that the Veteran be scheduled for an examination to determine the probable nature and etiology of his diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of PTSD, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date of January 17, 2025, for his PTSD with major depressive disorder and insomnia disorder rating has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of July 24, 2019 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD in his medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD with depression and anxiety, bilateral carpal tunnel, lower back injury strain, and cervical spine injury strain as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. He also received a TDIU rating.