PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional acquired psychiatric disability, to include aggravation of service-connected PTSD, major depression and alcohol abuse in remission is denied as there is no evidence that the VA medical care caused an additional disability or aggravated a pre-existing condition.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran is in need of aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD. The examiner should consider the Veteran's wife's statement regarding her assistance with daily activities and whether his PTSD requires regular care or assistance.

The claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure history and etiology of his seizure disorder, fatigue, headaches, and psychiatric condition.

The Board denied service connection for a right leg disability and an increased rating for PTSD. The Veteran's right leg disability was not found to be related to service, while the PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to October 18, 2021, and 70 percent from that date.

Service connection is granted for PTSD. Service connection for a left foot disability and request to reopen service connection for bilateral eye disability are remanded.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of March 31, 2014 for the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD). The decision finds that the claim was filed on March 31, 1975 and adjudicated in September 1975. New service department records associated with the claims file during the July 2002 adjudication of the Veteran's claim show the Veteran's in-service symptomatology and chart his decline in performance around 1973, consistent with the onset of an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD).

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including PTSD, left ear hearing loss, foot conditions, cervical and lumbar spine conditions, sleep apnea, TBI, headaches, and seizures. The Veteran was not provided with a VA examination for his feet or headaches, and additional records are needed regarding an accident in Tennessee.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no current disability related to service and insufficient evidence linking any diagnosed conditions to service.

Service connection for COPD is denied. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of COPD.,PTSD with depressive disorder was granted at a 70% rating prior to December 22, 2020, but the claim for a higher rating remains pending.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD, which includes symptoms such as severe depression, social isolation, suicidal ideation, and auditory delusions. The decision is based on evidence showing total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 50% rating, diabetes mellitus type II remains at 20%, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities are all granted ratings. Heart condition and TDIU issues remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder and TBI is being remanded due to the need for additional private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD have been denied. The Veteran is currently receiving a 10 percent rating for his tinnitus, a noncompensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss, and a 70 percent rating for his PTSD as of November 22, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD was granted on October 3, 2019 with an effective date of May 31, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for PTSD, TDIU, and DEA are being remanded due to the need to consider newly associated service department records that may support an earlier effective date.

The Board has found that the April 2023 VA examination is inadequate and requires additional evidence regarding the Veteran's employment status, income from his self-employment, and occupational impairment due to PTSD. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's application for a TDIU was denied as it was not raised prior to April 22, 2020.,The effective date for DEA benefits was denied because the qualifying disability rating (100% schedular rating for PTSD) was established on April 22, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for sinus disability and tinnitus were denied. The Veteran's claim for increased rating for unspecified depressive disorder was also denied.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted for the claims of service connection for PTSD, a head contusion, headaches, and bilateral dry eye and cataracts. These claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is granted a 70% rating effective February 11, 2017. The residuals of her left arm fracture are denied as not compensable.