PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has restored the Veteran's PTSD and headaches ratings to their previous levels, finding that the reductions were improper due to a lack of actual improvement in symptoms.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for PTSD and service connection for a low back disability have been withdrawn by the Veteran. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as the Veteran's Notice of Disagreement was not valid under the Appeals Modernization Act system.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as the Veteran's August 2019 VA Form 10182 was not a valid Notice of Disagreement under the Appeals Modernization Act system.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to address whether there was sufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that the Veteran is unemployable by reasons of his service-connected disabilities, and to refer the claim for extra-schedular consideration of TDIU.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Adjustment Disorder, is denied as the evidence does not support his reported in-service stressors and there is no causal relationship between his current condition and service.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to July 23, 2021 and granted. TDIU and DEA benefits were also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is in need of personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months due to PTSD and cognitive impairment. The PCAFC program eligibility will be reconsidered based on the best interest of the Veteran.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied for ratings in excess of 50 percent prior to July 13, 2021 and for a rating in excess of 70 percent from that date. The appeal is based on the merits of his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with an initial evaluation of 70 percent. Service connection for cervicothoracic spine pain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left ear hearing loss are all granted.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, tension headaches, PTSD with alcohol use disorder and TBI residuals, left sciatic radicular pain, and right sciatic radicular pain are all denied. The Veteran is granted service connection for left and right sciatic radicular pain.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for sleep apnea is dismissed. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has remanded the claim due to a duty-to-assist error where the Veteran was not afforded a VA examination to determine if his acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is related to service. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability will be reconsidered.

An effective date of July 24, 2019, but no earlier, for the award of service connection for PTSD with alcohol use disorder, cannabis use disorder, and major depressive disorder is granted.,Entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for the period prior to January 14, 2020, for a psychiatric disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to a verified in-service stressor.,His posttraumatic headache disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful occupation since January 20, 2022. The Board granted a TDIU effective as of that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service connected. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar strain and unspecified sleep apnea due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is remanded.