PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, lumbar spine disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and TBI claims require additional development due to worsening symptoms since the last examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since September 19, 2018. The Board found that the symptoms of PTSD have caused significant occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a right knee disorder have been remanded due to the submission of new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors. The Veteran will need to have their in-service stressors verified, and they will also need to undergo a VA examination to determine if they have an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period from December 1, 2018, to June 30, 2022, is being remanded due to new evidence submitted in August 2020. The case will be referred to VA's Director of Compensation Services for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, as he is able to care for his elderly mother and participate in social activities.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in the decision-making process and the need for further development of evidence, including verification of stressors and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for her acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error where relevant counseling records were not obtained prior to the decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his reported military sexual trauma (MST) during basic training caused his current PTSD symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date prior to May 10, 2019, for the award of service connection for PTSD because the basic criteria for service connection were not met until June 27, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors and the need for an examination. The VA will attempt to verify the Veteran's in-service stressors and schedule him for a VA examination to address his claimed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted based on presumed exposure to an herbicide agent in Vietnam. His PTSD and ischemic heart disease are denied, with the issues of service connection for hypertension (non-presumptive) and other conditions remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The claim for TDIU was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to care for daily personal needs or to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment without assistance of others, thus SMC based on aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a GI disorder and PTSD have been partially granted. The claim for a GI disorder is denied, while the claim for PTSD has been reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial in July 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to their combined rating of 60 percent, which is less than the required 70 percent under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder with primary sleep disturbances (claimed as PTSD), service connection for hernia residuals, scar secondary to hernia surgery, and skin cancer affecting nose, cheek, and chest. The Board finds the Veteran's disability most closely approximates a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with an initial rating of 70 percent effective June 9, 2018. Other conditions are also granted.