PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for left wrist ganglion cyst and PTSD are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The VA must correct the omission of relevant medical records from the claims file.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is consistent with DSM-5 criteria and there was a qualifying event during his active service. The Board also found credible supporting evidence of the in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating adequately reflects his disability level. The symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding insufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of any such condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted for the period from September 12, 2019 to January 2, 2023 due to his service-connected disabilities making him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus disabilities have been found to prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 1, 2021.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 100 percent since January 29, 2024. The rating is based on occupational and social impairment in most areas due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks more than once a week, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss, impaired judgement, disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty establishing relationships, and intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder was granted with an effective date of May 11, 2023. The Board found that the Veteran continuously pursued his claim since this date.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea. Service connection was granted for left knee strain and right knee strain.,Service connection for cold exposure of the upper and lower extremities, as well as a collarbone disability, were not established.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and insomnia disorder is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, but the Board denied a higher rating due to insufficient evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel disease, neuropathy of lower extremities, neuropathy of upper extremities, rhinitis, sinusitis, prostate cancer, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right knee condition (claimed as bilateral knee injuries), and traumatic brain injury is denied due to lack of evidence supporting the presence or relationship of these conditions to service.,The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for loss of use of a creative organ and sleep apnea related to an acquired psychiatric disability is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for neurological disorders of the bilateral upper extremities, including essential tremors (claimed as Parkinson's disease), and PTSD was granted with an effective date of September 21, 2021. The rating assigned is not specified.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted an increased rating to 70 percent effective April 13, 2020. The GERD claim has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of appeal. The TDIU and service connection claims for erectile dysfunction and sleep apnea are remanded.

PTSD, insomnia, social adjustment disorder, somatic symptom disorder, agoraphobia, and severe anxiety are all remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's claims for PTSD, insomnia, social adjustment disorder, somatic symptom disorder, agoraphobia, and severe anxiety will be reconsidered after the VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, as well as PTSD prior to January 10, 2022, have been REMANDED by the Board. Separate ratings or ratings for neuralgia are not warranted.,The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on housebound status is also REMANDED.

The Veteran's appeals seeking initial ratings and service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active service.