PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is at least as likely as not related to an in-service personal assault, and service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, right ankle disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at a 70 percent for the period prior to October 2, 2021, and a 100 percent rating thereafter. The decision grants these ratings based on the severity of his PTSD symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD disability was rated at 70% effective September 8, 2018. The Board also granted a TDIU effective April 24, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including headaches, shoulder, hand, arm, and psychiatric conditions. The decision concluded that the injuries sustained in a 2004 motor vehicle accident were not incurred in the line of duty due to the Veteran's willful misconduct.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is denied. The claim for service connection for liver disability secondary to PTSD with alcohol use disorder is remanded.

The Board granted the Veteran's claims for TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance with effective dates of October 22, 2010. The decision was based on the Veteran's marginal employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of PTSD as her withdrawal of the VA Form 9 and timely filing of a Notice of Disagreement under the AMA system means the issue is now in the modernized appeals system.

The claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened, and the case is remanded for further development. The claim for service connection for bilateral flatfoot is also remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and he meets the criteria for basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.,Service connection for recurrent sleep disability (obstructive sleep apnea) and thyroid disability (hypothyroidism and obesity) are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits were denied as she did not meet the threshold disability percentage requirement and was found to have an employment handicap. The Board concluded that the Veteran does not need rehabilitation due to her existing disabilities, education, and work experience.

The Board has remanded multiple issues for additional development, including increased ratings for PTSD and TBI-related cephalgia, as well as service connection claims. The Veteran's mental health records are incomplete, and a new VA examination is needed to assess the severity of his headaches.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's PTSD, including a rating in excess of 70 percent and an earlier effective date. Other claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and total disability based on individual unemployability are also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar I disorder and alcohol use disorder is rated at 100 percent disabling effective July 31, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a stroke was denied. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD prior to February 28, 2019 was denied, but the claim for a 100% disability rating for PTSD from that date forward is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, indicating satisfaction with the current decisions.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse disorder was restored to a 100% rating effective March 1, 2018. The issue of entitlement to TDIU from November 7, 2018, to January 17, 2023, is dismissed as moot due to the restoration of the PTSD rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating.,The Veteran also sought TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, but the Board found he was not unemployable.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claim is being returned for further development and consideration.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C, liver disability, and heart disability. The claim for PTSD is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.