PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran was insane at the time of his misconduct and thus meeting the regulatory bar exception. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has granted increased ratings for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Bilateral Hearing Loss, effective October 4, 2023. The past-due benefits resulting from these decisions are now eligible for attorney fees.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD was denied as the evidence did not show that his symptoms more closely approximated those associated with a 70 percent disability rating.,Service connection for tinnitus was also denied because there is no current diagnosis of tinnitus in the medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevented him from securing or maintaining gainful employment from May 27, 2020, to May 04, 2022. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for this period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, thus his claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance was denied.

The Board has determined that the withholding of VA compensation benefits to recoup Separation Pay in the amount of $31,101.34 was proper and this appeal must be denied as a matter of law.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, excluding the loss of use of both feet, meet the criteria for an award of aid and attendance benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l). This entitles him to special monthly compensation at the rate specified in 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(1).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Board finds that the current evidence does not support granting service connection under any raised theory of entitlement.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder is remanded due to new evidence received after the July 2017 denial.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and an earlier effective date were withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of all claims.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals, including those for PTSD, headaches, and a left knee strain, as well as the initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD, major depressive disorder, and sleep disturbance. The claim of entitlement to service connection for an unspecified eating disorder as secondary to PTSD is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with Major Depressive Disorder and Persistent Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood, caused total occupational and social impairment since July 5, 2019. His claim for a higher rating is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to a personal assault experienced during basic training, which led to ongoing symptoms of PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to provide a pre-decisional duty to assist regarding direct service connection for OSA, and because there is no pre-decisional duty to assist error in addressing the secondary service connection theory. The Veteran's claim will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim to reopen their previously denied PTSD service connection is dismissed.,Their initial disability rating for a back disability remains at 20 percent, and an earlier effective date for this condition is also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for PTSD and TMJ as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology, particularly in relation to service. The Veteran will need further VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD, was also denied as the evidence did not show a link between the disabilities and active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a back disorder due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's medical opinions are needed regarding the etiology of his psychiatric and back disorders.