PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder, mild, has been rated at 50 percent since June 2017. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increased rating in excess of this level for any period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating and earlier effective date for PTSD have been dismissed due to the appellant's request for withdrawal of her appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action on issues including service connection for PTSD, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, kidney failure, and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his initial disability evaluation and subsequent evaluations for service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to new evidence received after the April 2023 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been granted a 100% disability rating, effective from November 4, 1994. The decision finds that the Veteran experienced severe impairment affecting all aspects of his life throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's request for a TDIU rating since October 23, 2014 is dismissed due to the combined 100% schedular disability rating. For the period before October 23, 2014, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's mental health conditions, including PTSD and alcohol use disorder, are granted as service-connected. His deep scars receive a 20% rating, his superficial scars remain non-compensable, and he is granted a separate evaluation for painful scars.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to service connection for various psychiatric conditions and the reopening of a claim for residuals of right eye injury due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no persuasive weight of evidence to support these claims.,The Board noted that while the Veteran reported in-service back pain and knee conditions, post-service medical records did not show development of these conditions within a year after service.

The Board has remanded both claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, and for special monthly compensation based on housebound status or the need of regular aid and attendance. The remand requires verification of the Veteran's claimed stressors.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD has been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 50 percent rating as of February 1, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted with a rating of 70 percent effective September 25, 2019. Other conditions have been granted as well.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence not previously reviewed by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the issues related to the service-connected mental disability and TDIU, as they are not fully developed or addressed yet.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues are related to gout affecting his elbows, hands, and knees as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression).

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted service connection. The left knee disability and PTSD are denied service connection, but the Veteran receives a 50% rating for PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development, specifically requesting that VA obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records related to the Veteran's claims for PTSD and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased disability rating for PTSD and service connection for a left-hand disability, including carpal tunnel syndrome and degenerative arthritis. The RO needs to conduct additional development and readjudicate these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and sleep apnea due to the need for additional examinations.