PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since April 2016.

The Veteran's effective date for service connection of PTSD and a 40 percent rating for low back disability is granted as of August 16, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of in excess of 30 percent is not warranted based on the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD prior to October 7, 2019 is being remanded due to insufficient evidence. The effective date of the current 100% disability rating remains January 10, 2017.

The Board has remanded the cases due to non-compliance with previous instructions and additional development is required.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 100 percent and the additional service-connected disabilities are independently rated at 60 percent or more, meeting the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. §1114(s).

The Board has granted an initial rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder, finding that it resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but not total social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed. The claims for service connection for a right leg condition and TBI are remanded.

The Board has determined that more contemporaneous examinations are needed for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with persistent depressed disorder and major depressive episode, lumbar spine disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues of increased ratings for these conditions are being remanded.

The Veteran's right hip disability is granted a 10% rating, and service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD had its onset during service or was otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD based on military sexual trauma was granted, with the diagnosis and symptoms supported by VA mental health evaluations and treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for PTSD and psychiatric disorders, as well as a digestive disorder. The Veteran's claims are inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to August 15, 2016 for PTSD and service connection for coronary artery disease were withdrawn. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected PTSD was granted.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, PTSD due to MST, and bilateral pes planus.,The Veteran's left shoulder disorder, lower back disorder, right knee disorder, and migraine headaches are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an initial 70 percent rating for PTSD/ nervousness is granted, effective June 18, 2013. The earlier effective date for service connection remains at June 18, 2013.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was received after the August 2019 SOC and before transfer to the Board, necessitating a remand for readjudication. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, as there is a current diagnosis of PTSD and the stressors reported by the Veteran have been corroborated. The Board finds that one of the stressors linked to the Veteran's PTSD has been sufficiently verified.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of a verified in-service stressor. The appeal is remanded for further examination and determination regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, is related to his active duty service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.