PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and further development is required.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hypertension, pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus, seizures, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran's stressor information needs to be clarified.

Service connection for prostate cancer is granted under the PACT Act of 2022.,Service connection for PTSD and persistent depressive disorder is granted. The Board found that these conditions are related to service, including in-service stressors.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to clarify the Veteran's diagnosis and its relationship to service, as there are conflicting diagnoses in the record.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to an in-service MST. The decision also acknowledges other stressors but concludes that the MST was the primary cause of her PTSD.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is presumed to have been incurred during active duty.,VA examinations were not provided for the Veteran's hip, low back, and knee disabilities. The Veteran also needs a VA examination for his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD, right and left shoulder radiculopathy was dismissed as the Veteran opted into the modernized appeals process under the AMA.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted.,The appeal seeking service connection for tinnitus is dismissed as it was fully granted in a separate rating decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted on a direct basis as it was caused by an in-service trauma.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.,No new evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the claim for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is now rated at 70 percent effective February 13, 2014.,Effective December 17, 2014, the Veteran is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.,For the period from December 17, 2014 to July 31, 2021, the Veteran's PTSD qualifies for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and depressive disorder, as well as a potential secondary service connection claim for depression related to renal cell carcinoma.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. Service connection for left eye glaucoma is granted, but the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending and remanded.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired mental health conditions, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, are at least as likely as not related to his service or to in-service stressors. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are denied as there is no evidence of an informal claim prior to April 30, 2018.,His claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for TBI is granted. The Board finds that further development of the record is needed for a proper adjudication of this claim.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits are granted effective October 21, 2013, due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.