PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation were denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria established by VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Fibromyalgia, and physical injuries, make it impossible for him to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and personality disorder, was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD. The claim for a compensable rating for residuals of right rib cage fracture was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder with anxious distress and PTSD, is related to service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's TBI and PTSD were rated at 70 percent effective March 5, 2019. Migraine headaches were also rated at 30 percent effective the same date.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the entire period on appeal. The claim of TDIU was denied as a matter of law due to incarceration.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on multiple conditions, including PTSD, lumbosacral strain, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, gastrointestinal disability, bilateral wrist disabilities, and obstructive sleep apnea, was denied. The appeals were remanded for further action.

Your appeal for a total disability rating based on service-connected disabilities has been dismissed as your claim for an increased rating for the residuals of a fracture of the left malleolus is already granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% prior to June 30, 2022. A private psychiatric evaluation in June 2022 showed the Veteran met criteria for a 100% rating for PTSD as of that date. The effective date is set at June 30, 2022.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder condition, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD). Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The claims for service connection of neck and knee conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since March 1, 2022. Therefore, the Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU as of such date.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was reopened due to new and relevant evidence. However, the Board found that the service-connected disabilities did not prevent the Veteran from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected PTSD with persistent depressive disorder. The VA will need to obtain a thorough opinion from an appropriate clinician addressing both causation and aggravation of the condition.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, tension headaches, TDIU, housebound rate compensation, and Dependents' Educational Assistance are being remanded due to the need to obtain SSA records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claims are related to multiple mental health diagnoses and his assertion of in-service stressors.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including Trauma Disorder and PTSD with TBI, results in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. However, the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's back condition and PTSD are not related to his service from November 7, 2005, to September 22, 2015.,His period of honorable service ended with a dishonorable discharge due to misconduct.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to July 18, 2023. The claim for a higher rating remains pending. Other issues such as right ear hearing loss and TDIU are resolved.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder and bipolar II disorder is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions, as the last examination was over three years ago.