PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was denied as the evidence did not establish a causal nexus between current symptoms and an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to insufficient evidence of an in-service stressor. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified anxiety and depressive disorders, was granted.,Service connection for chronic otitis externa was denied as there is no evidence of frequent and prolonged treatment required.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The claim for tinnitus was not granted as higher than 10 percent.,PTSD was rated at the highest possible level (70 percent) prior to July 16, 2020, and TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent, and his left knee instability prior to April 11, 2015, was also denied a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and a need for medical opinions regarding the Appellant's discharge from service and whether he was insane at the time of his misconduct.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to March 5, 2014. The rating has been increased to 50 percent from March 5, 2014, to June 25, 2018.,From June 26, 2018, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD from January 7, 2017 to March 27, 2023 was denied. For the period from March 27, 2023, a 50 percent rating for PTSD is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU from January 1, 2020 as he was found to be substantially gainfully employed after March 15, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to new and material evidence, and the claim is now granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine service connection for PTSD, verify in-service stressors, assess combat status, and evaluate acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD and a higher disability rating for PTSD are both remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) to include major depressive disorder and unspecified trauma or stressor-related disorder due to MST was granted. The Board found that the evidence established a link between her military sexual trauma during service and her current diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including depression and unspecified trauma or stressor-related disorder.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the effective date of service connection for PTSD, depression, panic attacks, and alcohol dependence. The Veteran's claim is pending since 1971, and the issue now turns on when his acquired psychiatric problems had their onset.

The appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims and did not provide new and material evidence within one year of the final rating decision.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is rated at 30 percent since July 8, 2014. The Board has now granted a 70 percent rating for the entire appeal period, finding that his symptoms more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance and housebound status due to insufficient evidence showing he is rendered permanently homebound or in need of regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cold injury residuals of the upper and lower extremities, as well as PTSD, have been granted. The Board found that there is a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims based on new evidence received since the previous denial.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the period prior to August 12, 2022. The appeal continues as a higher rating is not assigned.,The Veteran's PTSD is denied for ratings in excess of 70 percent from August 12, 2022 onward.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and new PACT Act requirements for toxic exposure risk activities.