PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's hypertension, radiation proctitis, and PTSD have been granted service connection. The Veteran was also awarded a 100% disability evaluation for his radiation proctitis. However, the Veteran's request for an increased rating for PTSD prior to January 7, 2020, has not been approved.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder and respiratory condition are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied, and his claim for TDIU was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with major depression is related to his active service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent disability rating, and service connection for left knee osteoarthritis is granted. Service connection for right hip condition and vision disorder are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to July 15, 2021. His employment was full-time and his income exceeded the poverty threshold, thus he could not be considered for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, a genitourinary (GU) disorder, and decreased sex drive are being remanded due to the need for medical opinions regarding their etiology. The service connection is not based on a presumption of exposure or new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD prior to August 1, 2016 is denied. A 70 percent disability rating for PTSD from August 1, 2016, is granted. The TDIU claim must be remanded as it is intertwined with the matters currently pending before the RO.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD or a psychiatric disorder and has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50%, and the Board has determined that a rating of at least 70% is warranted for the entire period on appeal.

PTSD was granted a 70% rating prior to March 25, 2019 and denied any higher rating since then.,Headaches were granted a 30% rating prior to March 25, 2019 and denied any higher rating since then.,TBI residuals were granted a 10% rating prior to January 5, 2018 and denied any higher rating from that date forward.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD with secondary MDD and Crohn's disease were denied. The appeal for TDIU was dismissed as moot due to the Veteran already receiving a 100 percent combined schedular rating.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection. The case is therefore being returned to the Regional Office for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a recurrent psychiatric disability to include PTSD and a depressive disorder is denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a recurrent respiratory disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and therefore the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to May 26, 2021 was denied as the evidence did not support that he was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and adjustment disorder. The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing heart condition or acquired psychiatric disability in service.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the addition of his child, M., to his VA disability compensation award. The Board denied this request as the earliest possible effective date was January 14, 2011, when he received a higher disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, diarrhea, CTS of the right and left upper extremities, and lumbar spine disability need further examination to determine their current status and etiology. The PACT Act is applicable for the diarrhea claim.