PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability due to new and material evidence provided by the Veteran. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and clarifying information about in-service incidents.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for melanoma, removal of uterus and both ovaries, genital herpes, PTSD due to military sexual trauma, anxiety, and depression have been dismissed.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) has not been established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and PTSD due to incomplete development of stressor events.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the September 2022 remand directives and another remand is required for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of any currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder with insomnia. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for loss of sense of smell and taste have been dismissed.,PTSD ratings in excess of 70 percent, GERD rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 30, 2022, and IBS with GERD rating in excess of 30 percent from June 30, 2022 onwards have been denied.,The Veteran's effective date for PTSD service connection has been remanded.,Hearing loss disability ratings have been remanded.,Service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome have also been remanded.

Service connection is granted for right and left knee disabilities, as well as a right shoulder disability.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) related to military sexual trauma has been remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder, depression, and PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence of a stressor related to his active-duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his OSA, and if obesity is an intermediate step in causing his OSA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further action due to incomplete verification of stressors and additional development is needed. The bilateral eye condition claim remains denied, while the PTSD claim is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that his current mental health problems are due to military sexual trauma (MST) he endured during service. The appeal is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder unspecified) based on new evidence received since the final denial of these claims in February 2016. The Veteran's current diagnoses are related to her military service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and dismissed the appeal regarding an earlier effective date for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to November 29, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for further examination regarding the etiology of any current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD and MDD was denied, as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD and MDD was also denied. The AOJ found no new and material evidence to support reopening the claim.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened, but the case is remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's OSA is secondary to his service-connected PTSD, including medications prescribed for his PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, residuals of head injury, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, dysthymic disorder, and anxiety), and seizure disorder. The effective dates have not been established.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the condition.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating for right knee instability from January 25, 2015 to June 29, 2021 is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent. The Board denied entitlement to TDIU for both periods prior to March 31, 2017 and from March 31, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from December 19, 2017, to November 14, 2018. The Board granted a TDIU for this period.