PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as it is related to his service, and the Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence to deny this claim.

An initial 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted, effective from June 14, 2017. The issue of service connection for OSA is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for a statement of the case on whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The cause of death is also being remanded, with the need for a psychiatric evaluation to determine if any identified psychiatric disability had its onset during active service or is related to any incident of service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied. The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar back strain, right ankle residual status-post fracture, PTSD, complex cyst right kidney, and left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted effective April 18, 2012. The Board also denied other claims including an increased rating for PTSD and service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with major depressive disorder was denied in an August 2012 rating decision. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at November 8, 2017, which corresponds to the date of receipt of his Intent to File application.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder is remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence from his treating physician, which suggests a link between his current mental health condition and events in service. The Board finds that further examination and opinion are needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD was granted on November 14, 2017. The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date due to the lack of evidence showing that her symptoms warranted such a higher rating.

The appeal for service connection and rating increases for various conditions, including erectile dysfunction, type II diabetes, kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and PTSD, is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD as due to MST is granted. The claim for TMD with bruxism is remanded and will be adjudicated based on the new evidence provided.

The Veteran's PTSD and unspecified anxiety disorder are found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The claims for increased rating of left lower extremity varicose veins associated with left knee strain and right lower extremity varicose veins are remanded.

The Board has determined that the reduction in ratings for migraines, major depressive disorder, neck disability, lumbar strain with degenerative changes/arthritis, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome was improper. The Veteran's original ratings are restored.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is remanded due to his inability to attend scheduled VA examinations during incarceration. The Board finds that a new examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD has been dismissed as the December 2018 Board decision granted a 30 percent rating, and no higher. The issue of initial rating for Coronary Artery Disease is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen her previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD (now claimed as due to MST) is dismissed because she has withdrawn her appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, sleep apnea, or chronic fatigue syndrome. The back and bilateral flat feet conditions are also not supported by the evidence as being related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, back injury, and bilateral knee disabilities (PFS). The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered direct findings of his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has found that further development is required before adjudication of the service connection claims can proceed. The Veteran's Social Security Administration (SSA) medical records and VA treatment records from Monroeville, VA Outpatient Clinic need to be obtained.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent rating as of May 24, 2022. Prior to that date, the Veteran was not granted an increased rating for his PTSD.