PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The Board found that the criteria for an earlier effective date prior to May 6, 2015, for grants of service connection for peripheral neuropathy in both feet are not met due to the lack of a claim within one year of separation from service. The Veteran's entitlement to these benefits arose following the filing of his initial claim on May 20, 2014, but not before May 6, 2015. The effective date for grants of service connection was set at May 6, 2015, when the Veteran filed a claim for service connection for a low back disability.

The Veteran's PTSD with pseudo-bulnar affect is granted a disability rating of 70 percent, effective October 2021. The Veteran also has been granted TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for PTSD, and the Board dismissed it.

The Board has granted service connection for low back pain and dysfunction, neck pain and dysfunction, bilateral foot pain and dysfunction, and a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD. The decision also dismisses the appeal as not related to service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied, and his claim for a TDIU was granted.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for PTSD due to insufficient consideration of relevant evidence, including lay statements and medical records.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since February 3, 2021. The rating remains denied as the evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective April 1, 2021. The rating will remain at this level until further notice.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, psoriasis, a status post colon removal condition, and diabetes mellitus. The appellant's preexisting personality disorder was not aggravated by service.

The appeal of the claim for service connection for Lyme disease is dismissed. The Board has remanded the claims for a left wrist disorder, a left hand disorder, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and PTSD from December 19, 2011.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and PTSD due to issues with the factual basis of a VA examination report and the need to address the Veteran's statements regarding symptom onset.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an examination. The appeal is granted in part as new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of an in-service sexual assault stressor and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for PTSD, lower back disability, tinnitus, insomnia, and hearing loss was granted. The Board found new and material evidence in support of the PTSD claim, but denied reopening of the lower back disability claim due to lack of material evidence. Tinnitus is service-connected as it manifested during active duty. Hearing loss and insomnia are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's low back disability and migraine headaches have been granted service connection.,Service connection for PTSD has been granted, but the issue of an increased rating remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as he had full-time employment until March 2016, and his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for DEA benefits was also denied because the award of a TDIU precluded such eligibility.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to her withdrawal of the appeal. The other issues related to her acquired psychiatric disorder and right knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, Depressive Disorder, and a Left Hip Disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records review.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to March 29, 2021 and then increased to 70 percent from December 5, 2020 to March 29, 2021. The appeal for a higher rating in excess of 70 percent thereafter is denied.