PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for TDIU as inextricably intertwined with his additional increased rating claims. The RO must readjudicate these issues and issue a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his PTSD rating is denied as the evidence does not support a prior effective date of March 26, 2017.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his TDIU is also denied as there is no evidence to support an earlier effective date for his PTSD until its evaluation was increased to 70 percent in August 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for PTSD, lumbar spine disability, left shoulder bicipital tendonitis, right hip disability, and left hip disability. The issues are still pending as a statement of the case addressing these matters has not been issued.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to February 9, 2015. The Board has remanded the case for referral of the TDIU claim to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has granted the Appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his PTSD with alcohol use disorder caused or contributed substantially to his death.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD with MDD and alcohol use disorder is remanded due to the need to provide the Veteran and his representative with information about the competence of the examiner who conducted the June 2016 VA examination concerning PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding private and VA treatment records that need to be obtained. The Veteran's claim for service connection is reopened based on new evidence, but further review is needed.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of pulmonary fibrosis, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss. The claim for PTSD was granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical opinions and incomplete evidence. The Veteran's death is being considered, but service connection for cause of death remains in dispute.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for several issues, including initial compensable rating for atopic dermatitis and service connection for PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder and moderate alcohol use disorder, sleep disturbances, chronic headaches, keratitis/corneal ulcer, chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, enlarged cervical right side submandibular lymph node, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and muscle and joint pain (unspecified).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete service medical records. The Veteran's active duty and Army Reserve service are acknowledged, but further efforts must be made to obtain his complete service medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to April 25, 2022 was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and outstanding service records, including mental health treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered based on verified stressors or combat participation. An examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, residuals of TBI, and seizures were denied as the evidence did not establish a direct relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and a finding of TDIU due to service-connected disability. Additional evidence is needed, including VA outpatient treatment records from the University of Kansas Medical Center and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability determination records.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD and has remanded the claims of service connection for squamous cell carcinoma and lower back disorder.

The Veteran's rating for PTSD was reduced from 100% to 50%, effective July 1, 2020. The Board found that the procedural requirements were not followed and dismissed the appeal as moot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, should be remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The claim will be reconsidered with additional evidence provided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is due to an in-service drowning incident and finds it at least as likely as not that this condition is related to his service. As such, service connection for PTSD is granted.