PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The claims for left and right knee disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a relationship to service. The claim for herpes was granted with an effective date of March 2, 2020, but the Veteran's appeal seeks an earlier effective date which is denied. The claim for a compensable rating for herpes is denied due to lack of active symptoms and treatment. The claim for a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities is also denied as there were no such disabilities during the period in question.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for PTSD and right hand disability, finding that new and relevant evidence was not submitted to readjudicate these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus and acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure and combat experience.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is restored to a 10 percent rating effective September 15, 2020.,Service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and tension headaches are granted with effective dates of April 15, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal regarding PTSD was dismissed because he did not timely file a VA Form 10182 with respect to the November 19, 2020 rating decision.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his claim for PTSD, and the Board dismissed it as a result.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for PTSD prior to February 5, 2021 and DEA benefits prior to that date is denied. The claim for a 10% rating for migraines is granted.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, anxiety with other mental health disorders, and depression due to the lack of current diagnoses or symptomatology in the medical records.

The Board denied attorney fees for representation provided in conjunction with an October 2018 administrative decision awarding dependency status to the Veteran's son, D.M. The decision was not related to a service-connected condition and was considered an initial decision on the issue.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the Board has granted TDIU effective August 26, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, rated at 70 percent, has resulted in an effective date of July 31, 2015, for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).

The Veteran's appeal for an increase in special monthly compensation (SMC) from level L1/2 to M1/2 was dismissed because the issue had already been resolved and granted at a higher level of SMC.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of April 4, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder were granted a 70 percent rating from September 21, 2012 to January 6, 2015.,From January 6, 2015, the Veteran was granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are commensurate with a 100 percent rating from August 15, 2022. The Board finds an initial rating of 100 percent is warranted for the service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection as it was present in service and has persisted since.,Service connection for PTSD is denied because there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for awards of Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) are denied because the evidence does not show that entitlement to these benefits arose within one year prior to the date he filed his initial claim on November 11, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for fatigue, sleep apnea, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis have been denied as the submitted evidence is not new and relevant.,For left knee strain and lumbosacral strain (previously claimed as lumbar condition), the claims are remanded due to insufficient nexus opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of February 2, 2014, for the award of service connection for PTSD is granted. The appeal regarding a higher initial rating for PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with opiate use disorder and aggravated bipolar disorder required hospital treatment in a VA facility for more than 21 days from May 12, 2020, to June 22, 2020. The Board granted the temporary total disability rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29.