PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board has decided that there may be missing records from the mid-2000s regarding a prior claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which could affect the effective date of the grant of PTSD. The case is being remanded to obtain these records.

The Veteran's PTSD rating and TDIU claim are being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA examination records and any relevant private treatment records.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, diabetes, thoracolumbar disability, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to new and material evidence.

The Board has dismissed the appeals due to a procedural issue and is now remanding for further development, including issuing an SOC.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the severity of PTSD prior to November 19, 2019.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to May 12, 2015 resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. From May 12, 2015 to October 28, 2019, the symptoms included anxiety, panic attacks, nightmares, some memory loss, emotional detachment, and difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships. After October 28, 2019, PTSD manifested with passive thoughts of death and intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a retrospective or current examination.

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD and TBI residuals has been denied. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, chronic depression and anxiety, and total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities have been remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date prior to March 28, 2006 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70% rating, but no higher. The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for IVDS of the lumbar spine and service connection for right and left knee disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence to establish a stressor related to his in-service training exercise. The current disability of PTSD is consistent with DSM-V criteria.

The Board has found that additional development is needed to ensure the Veteran's SSA records are obtained, as these records may contain information relating to his disabilities on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU prior to October 8, 2020 is dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for further examination and development of records, specifically regarding the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The Veteran seeks an increased disability rating for his PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for TBI residuals and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and active service or any incident of service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to November 22, 2019. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities prior to October 31, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, despite failing to meet the threshold percentage requirements for consideration of a schedular TDIU.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 40% rating effective November 12, 2021. The claim for PTSD and heart disorder service connection is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and headaches have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran experienced in-service stressors leading to PTSD, and had recurrent headaches since service, warranting service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence to decide the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, PTSD, and MDD. A VA examination is required to determine the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability.