PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and depression, as well as his claim for service connection for a back disability due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of these conditions during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder was granted effective August 30, 2017. The earlier effective date request is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since October 2014. The Board granted a 70 percent rating, but no higher, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new VA medical opinion. The Veteran's OSA may be related to service as a deep-sea diver.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings for PTSD prior to July 15, 2019 and on and after that date has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by his authorized representative.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The case is remanded for further development and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to pending issues involving service connection for PTSD and sleep apnea. The TDIU issue is also being remanded until these other claims are resolved.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no probative evidence of record establishing that his current diagnosis of PTSD had its onset during honorable service or is otherwise related to his honorable period of service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period prior to February 11, 2020.

The Board has granted the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MST, and major depressive disorder with memory loss. The decision finds that it is at least as likely as not that her symptoms are related to her service, particularly her sexual assault during AIT training.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, major depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder, was manifested by decreased work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress or symptomatology controlled by continuous medication prior to July 30, 2018. As of July 30, 2018, the Veteran's psychiatric condition resulted in reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression caused a need for regular aid and attendance of another person from November 21, 2003 to June 1, 2010. The Board granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of PTSD, and this issue is now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD with TBI, is rated at 100 percent effective February 1, 2016. The issue of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to March 24, 2020, is dismissed due to the grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD with TBI.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and its relationship to his service. Additional medical records, including those from Vet Centers, are needed for a comprehensive evaluation of the Veteran's mental health conditions.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD because the evidence did not show an in-service stressor event that could support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has added new evidence to the claims file and is remanding both PTSD service connection and TDIU issues for further review by the RO.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone has rendered her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and she is also entitled to SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) due to the additional service-connected disability of urge incontinence.