PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's claim was not reopened until February 18, 2016 and thus the earliest possible effective date is February 18, 2010.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, PTSD, other specified trauma and stress related disorder, and adjustment disorder is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for gout is also reopened. However, the Board has found that there is no current low back disability and thus denied the claim for service connection for a low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment for the entire appeal period, leading to a TDIU. Effective January 26, 2010, he is also entitled to SMC at the housebound rate due to his combined disability rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and PTSD, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The examiner must consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his experiences in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied due to a lack of diagnosis. A remand is ordered as new evidence and an updated VA examination have provided sufficient information to reconsider the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including STRs and private treatment records. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is reopened.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current disability is not related to his in-service injury or disease and is not secondary to his service-connected PTSD and coronary artery disease.,The Board also denied service connection for a right knee disability, concluding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease resulting in the current condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including a PTSD examination, an examination of right finger disabilities, and updated employment information.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, but has remanded these issues due to new evidence received since the last final decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent evaluation, effective August 15, 2012.,Service connection for left foot arthritis is granted.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations of his dysthymic disorder with PTSD, left ankle disability, and lumbosacral spine disability was denied. The decision also granted a TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, residuals of skin cancer, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss disability as there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for his increased rating claim and earlier effective date claims. The Board finds that a Remand is necessary to further develop the service connection claims on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is remanded due to missing VA treatment records and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI is rated at 70 percent since September 17, 2015 and continues to be rated at 70 percent from April 1, 2016. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any portion of this period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that his personality disorder is not a disease or injury subject to service connection and thus cannot be granted.

The Veteran's combined effects of service-connected PTSD, low back disability, cervical spine disability, right hip disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 21, 2019.

The Board has decided that the Veteran is entitled to a higher initial disability rating for PTSD prior to February 19, 2015 and a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD from February 19, 2015. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including obtaining additional medical records and requesting authorization to obtain private mental health care provider records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is being reconsidered.