PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, erectile dysfunction, sinus disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, bowel disorder, headaches, enlarged prostate disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The claim for service connection for a skin disability has been remanded.

The appeal for severance of service connection for Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depression is granted. The appeal for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Substance Abuse Disorder, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressor (MST) and thus no basis for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder is denied due to lack of a diagnosed condition.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 29, 2017, for a 70 percent rating for PTSD is denied as there was no increase in severity within the one-year period before filing the claim.,The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date for SMC based on housebound status is denied due to lack of a qualifying disability and inability to work due to multiple service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD remains pending as his current VA medical records are needed for an accurate assessment.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left hip limitation of flexion is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disorder is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD based on an in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to new evidence received after the most recent Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for other trauma and stressor related disorder (claimed as PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of his mental condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and hypertensive heart disease, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal to increase the rating for PTSD has been withdrawn, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and a right knee disability have been remanded due to the need for additional development. The Veteran is presumed credible regarding his statements about the onset and persistence of his symptoms. VA treatment records show a diagnosis of knee arthralgia. An examination is needed to clarify the diagnoses and their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD with unspecified bipolar disorder and substance use disorder in remission is denied. The Board found no communications prior to September 5, 2012 that could be construed as a claim for this benefit.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence in several areas, including psychiatric disorders, polyneuropathy, back disability, and fibromyalgia. The hearing request is also noted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need to verify in-service stressors and determine if the Veteran served in Vietnam or other locations where herbicide exposure is presumed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, neurological conditions, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, plantar fasciitis, and sleep apnea due to in-service stressors and other related conditions. The Veteran's mental health condition is being evaluated again as part of this process.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in previous decisions and new evidence that may affect service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent disability rating from April 25, 2021 onwards. The appeal for service connection of sleep apnea and right shoulder disability remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to September 11, 2023. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. However, a rating of 100 percent is not warranted due to lack of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating, temporary total disability rating due to hospitalization, and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the severity of his PTSD symptoms did not warrant a higher rating than 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and clarification of the Veteran's psychiatric diagnoses, as well as opinions on whether any current disabilities are related to service.