PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed for the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and GERD, as well as for the rating claims related to arthritis of the left knee. The Veteran's VA treatment records will be obtained, and he will be afforded new examinations to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors, and requests that efforts be made to verify these events.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to PTSD, spinal disabilities, hearing loss, fibromyalgia, and other conditions. The Veteran's VA treatment records need to be updated, and she needs to undergo additional examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of July 9, 1998. The earlier effective date of March 25, 1997, is granted as the new and material evidence submitted in July 1998 led to a grant of service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for right ankle, left knee, and acquired psychiatric disabilities due to a lack of a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and unavailable service treatment records. The Veteran's cold injury residuals and lumbar spine disability are being examined by a Vascular Specialist and an Orthopedic Specialist, respectively, while his acquired psychiatric disorder claim is being reviewed by a Psychiatrist or Psychologist.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, major depressive disorder, hepatitis C, and a liver condition are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to herbicide agents in Korea.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for an earlier effective date for a 70% rating for PTSD, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including MDD, and a cardiac or heart disability secondary to PTSD and/or an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to Military Sexual Trauma was dismissed. A 100% evaluation is granted from April 8, 2021, forward, for his service-connected chronic bronchitis with COPD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to August 26, 2015 for the award of a TDIU was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation before that date.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of a current diagnosis separate from the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding OSA and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC benefits was denied due to lack of personal care services. The Board has decided the case is remanded as there are outstanding development tasks, including an in-home assessment and caregiver training.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms most nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating. The Board also found that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, granting TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, and additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone require the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities is 60 percent, which meets the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to his PTSD and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's increased ratings for PTSD, overactive bladder, sciatic neuropathy of the lower extremities, and upper extremity radicular neuropathy have been denied. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a total schedular rating due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for various service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's attorney requesting withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent prior to August 7, 2019. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.