PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and tinnitus have been dismissed.,Readjudication of the claims for service connection for headaches, vertigo (dizziness), sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the AOJ not including certain medical records in his claims file. The Board will now include these records and reassess his claim for a higher disability rating for PTSD with Alcohol Use Disorder.

The Board has decided that the Veteran is not eligible for PCAFC benefits due to his inability to perform ADLs. However, after reviewing the new legal precedent from the Federal Circuit in Veteran Warriors v. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Board finds a pre-decisional error and remands the case for further review under the correct statutory criteria.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD, which was previously granted at 70 percent. The appeal is dismissed as the Veteran wishes to withdraw from further consideration.

The Veteran's eligibility for benefits under the PCAFC is remanded due to a legal error in the initial decision, specifically related to the interpretation of 'need for supervision, protection or instruction' as defined by 38 C.F.R. § 71.15.

The Veteran's appeal for a temporary total disability evaluation has been withdrawn and is dismissed.,New evidence received since the February 2016 rating decision supports reopening her claim of service connection for tinnitus, which she was previously denied due to lack of verifiable noise injury. The claim is granted.,Service connection for PTSD is granted with a maximum 100 percent rating based on total occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran's request for TDIU is remanded as the issue has not been fully adjudicated yet.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination rationale and incomplete medical history. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, need to be evaluated for their onset in service or as a result of service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, is being remanded due to the receipt of new evidence since the October 2007 rating decision. The new evidence includes mental health treatment records indicating anxiety and experiences related to in-service stressors.

The VA denied the Veteran's appeal as they determined that withholding of VA disability compensation benefits to recoup special separation benefits was proper.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, requiring him to rely on assistive devices for mobility. The Board has granted financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to his permanent and total service-connected disability.

The Board has found the March 2021 decision inadequate and remanded for an updated medical review to determine if the Veteran requires personal care services each time he completes one or more activities of daily living, including dressing, bathing, and toileting. The decision also notes that the Veteran may require regular supervision, protection, or instruction to keep himself safe.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD from June 23, 2020 to December 16, 2021 has been dismissed. The Veteran also withdrew his appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD from December 16, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU and service connection for PTSD were dismissed due to the AOJ's decision being deferred. The appeal of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and vertigo is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since January 19, 2011. The Board also granted a TDIU effective from the same date.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine spondylosis and PTSD or other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder due to failure to send notification of VA examinations. The appellant is advised that failure to report for these exams may have detrimental consequences on his pending claim.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his bipolar and related disorder with anxious distress (also claimed as insomnia and PTSD) is remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for undiagnosed Gulf War Illness manifested by a muscle condition, joint condition due to Gulf War (claimed as joints and muscle condition due to gulf war), skin cancer, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression. The examiner was asked to address all diagnoses since the Veteran first submitted a claim for a mental health disorder in November 2014 and consider his lay statements about symptoms during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric condition due to issues with obtaining medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for PTSD with depression and alcohol use disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new psychiatric examination.