PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding higher staged initial ratings for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder, rated 50 percent prior to February 13, 2023, and 70 percent from that date.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection of a back disability, right knee disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was granted effective October 1, 2017. The Board found that the increase in disability occurred as of this date based on medical evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is granted at a 50% disability rating prior to December 5, 2022 and increased to 70% thereafter. Service connection for bilateral tinea pedis is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his active-duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has found that the remand directives have not been completed and another remand is necessary for further development, including obtaining opinions on service connection for psychiatric disorders, leg disabilities, and knee strains.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus and earlier effective date for PTSD have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not worsen during service, and thus could not be granted on a theory of direct service connection. For PTSD, the Board determined that the earliest effective date was September 28, 2018, when the claim for an increased evaluation was received.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected PTSD, right knee disabilities, and effective date claims. The case is being remanded for further development including obtaining updated VA treatment records, arranging for examinations of the Veteran's right knee surgical scars and ligament injuries, and addressing the evaluation and effective date issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and for clarification on garnishment amounts.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran also received a TDIU for his PTSD alone.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, is granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for headaches is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD and TDIU was granted, with the Veteran receiving an initial 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim was denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board also remanded several other issues, including those related to his feet, thighs/hips, elbow, and skin.,The Veteran was not granted service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD due to sexual trauma is reopened, and the appeal is granted. The Board also remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if her current acquired psychiatric disability is related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that this rating does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to his symptoms and overall disability picture.

The Veteran's initial ratings for migraine headaches and PTSD/MDD have been granted. However, the appeal is mixed as some issues are remanded due to insufficient evidence or further development needed.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused significant impairment in work and social settings, warranting a 70% disability rating since December 23, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.