PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to January 29, 2008 and a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD from January 29, 2008 due to inadequate statement of reasons or bases.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating since March 23, 2018. The appeal is for an increased rating from the original grant of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hand muscle cramps is granted as new and material evidence has been received. The claim of service connection for liver disability (claimed as hemochromatosis) remains pending.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for an eye injury is granted, with the issue remaining pending. A March 2022 private evaluation found a relationship between the Veteran's left eye glaucoma and in-service eye injury.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for PTSD is remanded due to inadequate examination report and the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of examination for the Veteran's current mental health diagnoses and their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, PTSD, migraine, and tinnitus have been granted. The appeals for increased evaluations and the TDIU claim are still pending.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,The Veteran's headaches, neck disorder, back disorder, heart disorder, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), anxiety, insomnia, sleep disturbances, and depression are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have combined to prevent her from securing and maintaining gainful employment since May 13, 2018. The Board has granted a TDIU effective that date.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 50 percent rating from October 18, 2018 onwards. A separate 20 percent rating for painful scars of the left hand condition is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance as they do not cause anatomical loss or use of both feet, blindness in both eyes with visual acuity of 5/200 or less, permanent bedridden status, or being so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service during the race riots in Detroit.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been reopened. The evidence submitted is new and material as it relates to the unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claim.,The Veteran's claim of asthma was not reopened because no new and material evidence was received.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disorder has been reopened. Evidence from private doctors suggests that the condition may have started during service, but VA treatment records do not support this.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and right hip disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disorder is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of PTSD with alcohol use disorder and TBI was dismissed because the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, and has remanded his claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability.

The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected psychiatric disability (PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder) has been granted at a 70 percent evaluation, effective from January 29, 2013. Additionally, the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU beginning May 1, 2020.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from February 23, 2015 to December 13, 2019.,A 100 percent rating for PTSD was granted effective December 13, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and alcohol dependence. The evidence did not support a finding that any current acquired psychiatric disorder was related to service.