PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of PTSD and diabetes mellitus, which were dismissed as a result.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate attempts by the AOJ to verify stressors and obtain necessary medical records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, panic disorder, and depressive disorder are now pending.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 1 and PTSD are both granted as service connected. The diabetes mellitus is considered a direct connection to service due to its onset during or within one year of service. The PTSD is found to be proximately due to the diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is dismissed as he withdrew his request. The effective date for service connection of PTSD is also dismissed.,New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a lower back disability, which is now granted. OSA and CFS are also granted with specific effective dates.,The Veteran's left foot fracture and restless leg syndrome have received increased ratings, but their effective dates remain pending.,COPD claims were remanded due to factual disputes regarding the date of claim.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for an increased disability evaluation for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and service connection for various conditions. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these other claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for PTSD and TDIU prior to December 23, 2022 are being remanded due to the failure to readjudicate the proper issue of entitlement to an increased rating for service-connected PTSD from June 1, 2018, to December 22, 2022, and in excess of 70 percent from December 23, 2022. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder, including whether it is related to service. The decision regarding bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has found that the development conducted does not comply with a prior remand and is therefore remanding the case for further action, including scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions and review of service records. The main issues are whether the appellant's character of discharge is dishonorable and if he was insane at the time of misconduct.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD and depression is granted, as well as entitlement to SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ. The claim for service connection for psychosis for treatment purposes is dismissed due to the grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence being added since the last decision, and the Veteran requested a review by the AOJ.

The Veteran's hip disabilities and PTSD with insomnia are all denied or remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is rated at 100 percent from October 27, 2016 to June 7, 2023.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, PTSD with MDD, and erectile dysfunction was granted. The issue of increased rating for PTSD with MDD is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (characterized as PTSD) and sleep apnea. Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's right ankle, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disorders. The appeals are remanded for further examination to determine etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding his diagnosis and the nature of the claimed stressors. A new medical opinion is needed to address these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his employment throughout the appellate period was considered 'substantially gainful' and thus he did not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and alcohol use disorder are granted based on verified in-service stressors and a link to his current conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent prior to November 25, 2014, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter for PTSD is denied. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating during this period.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective September 19, 2018. The decision grants the higher rating for PTSD and denies the separate TBI rating.