PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU and basic eligibility for DEA benefits from February 22, 2021 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's back disability is granted as it is related to his military service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is granted as it is proximately due to a service-connected condition (migraine headaches).,Sleep apnea is also granted as it is proximately due to a service-connected condition (migraine headaches).

The Veteran's heart disease, including ischemic heart disease, is denied as there is no evidence of such a condition during the pendency of his claim.,PTSD service connection is granted with an effective date of April 25, 2014, which was when he filed his informal claim for PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30%.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions, specifically PTSD and anxiety.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD prior to July 19, 2022 is granted. The claim for service connection for Sleep Apnea is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right hip/thigh impairment and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated private treatment records from Dr. M.B.M. and Dr. P.R.O., as well as scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. The VA is instructed to obtain verification of stressors, conduct a comprehensive examination, and provide an opinion on the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD; and for an eye disability. The claims for service connection for a low back disability, skin disorder, headaches, and diabetes mellitus are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a back disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability is denied. His claim for an increased rating for PTSD is granted with a 100% disability rating effective from November 9, 2015, to April 1, 2016, but his request for extended or earlier effective dates for these temporary ratings is also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol and cannabis use disorder has been productive of total occupational and social impairment throughout the rating period on appeal, or from November 15, 2018 to the present. The Board finds that a 100 percent rating is warranted for his condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is currently rated at 70 percent disabling. The Board has found that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating, and thus denied an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD. The TDIU claim must be remanded as part of this decision.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected right hip strain, GERD/acid reflux disease, asthma, and acquired psychiatric condition due to changes in symptoms since previous examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these increased rating claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful occupation prior to June 1, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left shoulder and ankle conditions, knee degenerative joint disease, radiculopathy, skin disorders, cervical spine disability, facial injury residuals, TMJ, sleep apnea, headaches, hand tremors, CFS, fibromyalgia, and muscle and joint pain. The Board finds that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate rationale for a VA opinion on persistent depressive disorder. The Veteran's claim is now pending again with the expectation of obtaining new evidence or information.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,Sleep apnea and eczema are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% evaluation of PTSD was denied as it could not be factually ascertainable that the increase in severity occurred prior to January 29, 2019.

The Board has determined that the reduction in VA disability compensation benefits during a period of incarceration from August [REDACTED], 2018, through November [REDACTED], 2018, was improper and has granted restoration of full VA disability compensation benefits for this period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, to include schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder was granted.