PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him incapable of securing and following substantially gainful employment from July 16, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol disorder is rated at 70 percent from August 4, 2015. The rating was granted as the symptoms more closely approximate a level of impairment associated with a 70 percent disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance, leading to a grant of SMC at the A&A rate effective August 17, 2021.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as it was part of a separate appeal stream dealing with an increased evaluation of PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew their claims for service connection for various conditions, including anxiety, chronic vertigo, eye problems, and mood disorders. The appeal is dismissed as a result.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for right hip OA with limitation of extension is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD prior to February 26, 2020 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to November 20, 2017 is remanded due to the need for clarification of his employment history and any vocational rehabilitation records.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric condition, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not start during or relate to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD due to military sexual trauma (MST), is reopened. The Board has also remanded the issues of secondary service connection for PTSD due to tinnitus and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's PTSD symptoms during the appeal period. The VA examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran experienced certain PTSD symptoms at any time since March 2012.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.,The application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), was granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including bilateral hip and foot disabilities, psychiatric conditions, sleep disorders, hearing loss, vertigo, vision loss, hyperlipidemia, GERD, skin rashes, hand circulatory condition, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction. The remand requires additional examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for chronic blood disorder in urine, penile dysfunction, hypertension, gastrointestinal disorder (previously claimed as irritable bowel dysfunction), acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), and sleeping disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a TBI and acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD due to insufficient rationale in the May 2021 VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's TBI and TBI residuals. The claims are also associated with service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hand and foot frostbite residuals, as well as his PTSD with depression, are all found to be related to service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, are found to be related to his active service. The Board granted the claim based on a finding that reasonable doubt has been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require a higher level of aid and attendance, necessitating personal health-care services provided on a daily basis by a person who is licensed to provide such services. The Board has granted the increased SMC (r)(2) based on this need.

The Board has dismissed the claim for an increased rating for a back condition due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The issues of service connection for depressive disorder, PTSD, and a headache condition are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, IBS, lumbosacral strain, right wrist sprain, deep vein thrombosis with residual pain, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and pulmonary vascular disease were all denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of these conditions and concluded that the evidence did not support service connection for any of them.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to a lack of recent VA treatment records and an examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to September 23, 2014 for the grant of service connection for PTSD with MDD, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood was denied. The appeal for a higher initial rating for PTSD with MDD, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood was dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.