PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, finding the severity, frequency, and duration of symptoms do not more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The AOJ will review this evidence and readjudicate her service connection and rating issues.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD has been granted. The issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the housebound rate was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU determination.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his fear of hostile military action during his service in Iraq.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection was denied, and his initial rating of 30 percent for PTSD prior to December 20, 2019 and 70 percent thereafter is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service in the Marine Corps Reserve and a shooting incident at Camp Pendleton. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, adjustment disorder, psychotic disorder, and schizophrenia.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and substance use disorder, is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, with the evidence being in equipoise regarding whether it was related to a verified in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone is sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU, as it prevents him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with specified depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since August 2, 2019. Effective August 2, 2019, a TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and is granted. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's current disability raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back pain, PTSD, TBI with headaches and numbness of upper and lower extremities are remanded as there are no recent medical records to assess the severity of these conditions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip pain, eczema, and muscle/joint pain due to an undiagnosed illness are remanded as VA opinions are inadequate. Further development is needed to determine if his disabilities qualify under presumptive provisions or if they are related to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right hip pain is remanded as the VA opinion of record was inadequate and did not address direct service connection, aggravation prong of secondary service connection, or provide a rationale based on medical literature.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to incomplete records. The Veteran is asked to provide releases for relevant treatment records, including hospital records related to his psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete private treatment records and a need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, which are claimed as secondary to jaw pain and/or his service-connected PTSD. The VA examiner must provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's headaches are caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD is granted. The heart disorder issue, including service connection due to herbicide agent exposure and as secondary to PTSD, is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent for the entire period on appeal, and their TDIU claim is dismissed as they are already receiving a 100 percent rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for DMII was denied, and his PTSD was granted a 100% rating. The issue of TDIU due to PTSD is dismissed as the Veteran has already been granted a 100% rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder, depression, and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records. The Board finds that current VA treatment records are necessary to support or refute the Veteran's claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a tooth condition and service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of additional disability caused by VA care.