PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no credible evidence to support the occurrence of the claimed in-service stressors, and his lay statements were outweighed by the lack of corroborated stressor.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for PTSD and TDIU was granted. The Veteran is currently assigned a 70 percent rating for PTSD from April 25, 2011 to January 14, 2013, with the possibility of further review if his condition worsens.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to new and material evidence having been submitted, necessitating further development. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, an esophageal condition, neurological impairment of the left lower extremity, neurological impairment of the right lower extremity, low back strain, left knee iliotibial band syndrome, and right knee iliotibial band syndrome are all remanded.

The Board found that the Appellant did not file a timely substantive appeal regarding the September 2012 statement of the case, and thus denied her claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD has been reopened, but the evidence does not support reopening the claim for obstructive sleep apnea.,The Veteran's left wrist limitation of dorsiflexion and left wrist ganglion cyst have both been remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran is also remanded for additional examinations related to his claimed disabilities, including bilateral feet, ankles, knees, shoulders, skin, frequent urination, migraines, PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and Bell's palsy.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD, which has rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since June 14, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for SMC based on need for aid and attendance and housebound status are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination for PTSD.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain VA medical opinions regarding the impact of PTSD and migraines on the Veteran's ability to perform office type work from July 2005 to July 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, COPD, OSA secondary to PTSD, and other disabilities have been granted. The appeal is not about service connection for exposure-related conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and dismissed the issue of entitlement to TDIU as moot due to a grant of TDIU. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50%.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood on and prior to November 2, 2020. The disability is currently manifested by depression and anxiety symptoms; a depressed mood; an affect congruent with mood; disturbances of motivation and mood; hypervigilance; marked insomnia; normal speech; normal thought form and content; normal concentration and memory; normal insight; normal judgment; and no suicidal or homicidal ideation or perceptual abnormalities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD based on a personal assault during service is remanded due to insufficient attempts to corroborate the in-service stressor and incomplete review of his service records.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one must be scheduled for a VA examiner to assess the severity of the Veteran's PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder, PTSD, and generalized anxiety disorder, are found to be caused by his service-connected lymphocytic lymphoma.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to obtain an adequate VA examination for rating purposes, and thus, further development is required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation during the period of June 18, 2015 to October 20, 2016. The evidence does not support an earlier effective date for SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound criteria prior to May 3, 2019.

The Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC benefits is granted due to his need for personal care services, primarily related to his PTSD symptoms that require supervision and protection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and hypertension do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.