PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

Service connection for a right shoulder disability, thoracic spine disability, and cervical spine disability has been denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is remanded due to lack of current diagnoses.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and anxiety reaction based on the evidence of record at that time. The decision was not overturned due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and generalized anxiety disorder. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions are related to military sexual trauma experienced during service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was denied as the March 2007 rating decision is final and no new evidence was received within one year following that decision.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD, an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, and entitlement to a TDIU are being remanded due to inextricably intertwined issues. The AOJ will reexamine these claims and determine whether additional review or development is warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor and thus no basis to establish a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, but was generally functioning satisfactorily. The Board found the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximated a 30 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error and will consider service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, on the merits.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the increased rating of PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since January 29, 2010. The appeal for a higher rating was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew from appeal the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for residuals of injury of right foot with fusion of second and third toes at the metatarsophalangeal joints. A TDIU is granted effective August 24, 2011, but no earlier. The effective date for eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is also set to August 24, 2011.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD due to a failure to verify the Veteran's reported stressors. The AOJ is instructed to request verification from the appropriate entities.

The Veteran's appeal to reduce the rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder from 100% to 70% has been dismissed because she withdrew her appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is rated at a 50 percent since May 16, 2019.

Your appeals for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and skin cancer lesions with painful scarring have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate these claims as they are now closed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of December 20, 2019.,Initial ratings were denied for bilateral hearing loss and chloracne.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and a new medical opinion due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's in-service stressor, lack of corroboration, and insufficient treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary polysubstance abuse is rated at 70 percent from December 31, 2015. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The left foot disability rating is granted with a temporary total rating from March 17, 2021 to May 12, 2021.,Service connection for asthma was denied as there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current condition to his military service.,The claim for service connection for PTSD remains pending and will be remanded. The examiner must provide a nexus opinion regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service stressor or personal assault.,The left foot disability rating remains pending as it was also remanded, requiring additional treatment records from private providers.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim due to insufficient evidence regarding his in-service stressors and their relationship to his current psychiatric conditions. The claims are also being remanded for a new VA examination.

The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, headache disorder, sleep apnea, and left knee disability is remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.