PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has expanded the original issue of service connection for PTSD and dysthymia to include all acquired psychiatric disabilities. The claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and a need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder was granted with an effective date of December 21, 2009. The disability manifested prior to this filing.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to be due to herbicide agent exposure in Thailand during service, granted under the PACT Act.,There is no current evidence of a viral infection or bump on the left hip. The claim for these conditions is denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) is granted.,The Veteran's lower jaw or dental disability is not service connected due to lack of evidence supporting trauma that resulted in bone loss.,The Veteran's current dental condition, including periodontal disease, is not considered a compensable disability for which he can receive compensation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was received on May 1, 2003. The RO denied the claim in December 2004 but granted it again in October 2018 based on new evidence from her service personnel records. The Board found that the effective date should be set at May 1, 2003.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to incomplete records from the Veteran's time in prison.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea have been reopened, but service connection is granted only for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.,Service connection has also been granted for the right ankle condition. However, service connection remains pending for the low back condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD with nervous disorder and dysthymic disorder is remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The examiner will assess the current severity, frequency, and duration of the symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a sleep disorder caused by psychiatric disabilities and obstructive sleep apnea due to missing scheduled VA examinations. The Veteran is advised to provide lay statements from himself and others who have first-hand knowledge of his in-service and post-service sleeping problems.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and alcoholism as there was no credible evidence to support the occurrence of in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for gastritis, mental condition (presumably PTSD or similar), migraine headaches, nausea associated with gastritis, and low back disability have been dismissed. The claim for right shoulder disability based on arm limitation of motion prior to July 18, 2016, has also been dismissed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, MDD, and Polysubstance Dependence have been granted. The rating assigned is not specified.

An initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD is granted effective November 15, 2012. A rating in excess of 70 percent from August 8, 2013, is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD has been granted, effective from May 20, 2017. The case is also remanded for a determination on the issue of entitlement to TDIU.,An earlier effective date of March 24, 2009 for service connection of PTSD was granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck disability, bilateral upper extremity neurological impairment, back disability, allergic rhinitis, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and/or an eating disorder), and cervical dysplasia with HPV. The reasons include lack of continuity of symptomatology since service, no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, and the absence of positive nexus opinions.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including right knee disability, low back disability, PTSD, substance abuse, liver disability, and heart disability. The Board has determined that these issues are remanded due to the need for further development or clarification.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities allowed him to qualify for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) beginning August 12, 2010. He also received special monthly compensation (SMC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial increased rating above 30 percent prior to December 3, 2014, for PTSD and for an increased rating above 50 percent since December 3, 2014, for PTSD. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to conflicting employment information.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine if the appellant was insane at the time of his misconduct leading to his discharge under other than honorable conditions. The issue is not about service connection but rather whether his character of discharge bars him from receiving VA benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent evaluation prior to February 13, 2017.

The Board has remanded the cases of PTSD and diabetes mellitus for further review due to missing VA treatment records from July 2017 to July 2019.