PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been remanded due to his failure to report for VA examinations and the need for a new examination considering his worsening symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to a delay in uploading evidence, which prevented the VA from issuing the Statement of the Case (SOC). The Veteran's attorney requested information about the competency of the psychologist who performed mental health examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Schizophrenia, is related to service exposure in Kuwait. The Board found that the evidence supports a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of May 11, 2013 for the awards of service connection for various conditions including PTSD and major depressive disorder with TBI residuals, migraine headaches, left knee osteoarthritis with chondromalacia patella, right knee osteoarthritis with chondromalacia patella, thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, tinnitus, and scars of the bilateral knees, left calf (other impairment).

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since November 8, 2010. Effective from that date, he is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to January 31, 2017, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50 percent disability rating prior to July 21, 2017. From July 21, 2017, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 40 percent disability rating.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at a 40 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his left elbow condition, cubital tunnel syndrome, shoulder condition, back condition, knee condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, eye condition, neuropathy of the hands, and neuropathy of the feet.,The Veteran's appeal is also remanded for an examination and opinion regarding his bilateral cubital tunnel syndrome (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome).,The Veteran's appeal is also remanded for an examination and opinion regarding his shoulder condition.,The Veteran's appeal is also remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his back condition.,The Veteran's appeals are all remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his knee, eye, hand, and foot conditions.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (cyclothymic disorder and PTSD) appeal is also remanded for an examination and opinion regarding its etiology.,The Veteran's appeals are all remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his eye condition.,The Veteran's appeals are all remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his hand and foot conditions.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the issues of increased evaluations for migraine headaches, PTSD and MDD, and TDIU. The Veteran's representative argues for a new examination due to inconsistencies in the June 2022 VA examination report.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding increased ratings for hiatal hernia, PTSD with nightmare disorder, and lumbosacral strain. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and rating for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, headaches, PTSD, OSA with asthma, patellar tendinitis, left ankle strain, and tinnitus. The AOJ is instructed to review all relevant evidence and issue a SSOC.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to February 1, 2020. Effective February 1, 2020, his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to do so.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, TDIU, and SMC based on need for aid and attendance are remanded due to additional evidence submitted by the Veteran and other procedural issues.

The claim for service connection for PTSD is reopened, and the case is remanded to attempt verification of stressors and provide a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD because there was no credible supporting evidence to verify the in-service stressor of being trapped between rattlesnakes during basic training.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective May 15, 2018. The Board found that the earlier effective date of January 30, 2018, is warranted due to his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for referral to the Director, Compensation Service due to evidence showing he was unable to work prior to April 26, 2018.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines, and he is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened, and the Board has determined that service connection is warranted based on new evidence provided by a private doctor.

Your appeal for an increased rating for posttraumatic stress disorder, including as due to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU), has been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal.