PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran is granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD prior to January 31, 2020 and entitlement to TDIU prior to that date. The Board found the Veteran's PTSD results in deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, and thinking.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment from April 13, 2015 to the present. A 100 percent rating for PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU). The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and alcohol use disorder is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD that conforms with the DSM-5 criteria. His alcohol use disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected mild alcohol use disorder. The issues of initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, bilateral foot disability (left and right), erectile dysfunction, and left shoulder disability are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected MDD with PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Formula for Mental Disorders. The Board found that her symptoms did not warrant a higher disability rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for temporary total rating and disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with opioid use disorder. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination to assess the current extent and severity of his sleep disorder, and to determine whether he has a current psychiatric disorder for which service connection may be granted. The matter also requires clarification of the Veteran's reported in-service stressors.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, OSTSRD, MDD, and unspecified mild neurocognitive disorder, is remanded due to inadequate stressor verification. The Veteran was stationed in Thailand from October 1965 to February 1966, but VA needs to verify the specific incident where a Thai military officer pointed a gun at him.

The Board denied service connection for any acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, due to insufficient evidence of a diagnosed disability and the lack of credible supporting evidence that an in-service stressor occurred.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to March 29, 2022. From that date onwards, the rating was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent disability rating, but no higher.,Service connection for urinary incontinence is remanded due to the need for an opinion on its relationship to PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as it is related to his service, specifically his participation in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and bipolar disorder with depressed mood and alcohol use disorder, as well as her claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is required to provide additional information about her employment history and submit records from Dr. P.B. at Grey Matters.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance by another person due to her service-connected disabilities, which include PTSD, urinary incontinence, migraines, pelvic inflammatory disease, irritable bowel syndrome, knee conditions, and sexual arousal disorder. The decision grants SMC based on this need.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for PTSD and for a compensable rating for a wrist scar. The appeal was withdrawn by the Veteran before any decision could be made.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for alcoholism as secondary to PTSD and cirrhosis of the liver as secondary to alcoholism has been dismissed due to his withdrawal request.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional evidence, as well as to determine if any currently-diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder had its onset during or is otherwise related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's PTSD, back disability, neck disability, and alopecia areata claims have been remanded for further examination and opinion. The effective date of service connection remains October 6, 2017.