PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent disability rating from August 26, 2016, to May 3, 2018. The symptoms included occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on housebound status has been withdrawn. The Board also remanded the cases of PTSD with traumatic brain injury and Meniere's disease, requesting new VA examinations to assess current severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to additional evidence added to the record and new VA examinations are required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his PTSD, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation during the period prior to September 16, 2016. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in approximate balance as to whether these conditions have impacted his ability to work.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been found to approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. Therefore, an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD is granted.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected conditions did not contribute substantially or materially to his dementia and subsequent death.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU prior to April 3, 2014 and from February 1, 2016 to August 9, 2022 is remanded due to the need to refer his case to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to a confirmed in-service personal assault, and service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Appellant's service connection claims, including tinnitus and PTSD. The character of discharge determination is also remanded. Other specific disabilities are also being reviewed for potential service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of hearing loss in the left ear is granted. The rating for PTSD prior to June 25, 2019, and TDIU based solely on PTSD are granted. The cervical spine degenerative disc disease rating is restored from September 6, 2018. Service connection for right ear hearing loss and increased ratings for lower back disability and cervical spine disability are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating and TDIU was remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and the adequacy of the VA examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 100 percent for PTSD with intermittent explosive disorder and unspecified depressive disorder, effective January 27, 2011. The effective date for TDIU and DEA eligibility is also set to this date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to a procedural defect in the docketing of their appeal under the AMA, and they need to provide VA treatment records from the Austin Vet Center.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to February 14, 2019. Lumbar strain and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each granted a separate disability rating of 20 percent effective prior to February 14, 2019. Bilateral hearing loss remains denied. TDIU is granted effective June 1, 2015. SMC at the housebound rate is granted effective February 14, 2019. DEA eligibility is granted prior to December 13, 2002.

The Board has remanded the case due to a procedural error in failing to provide a VA examination prior to the issuance of the August 2022 rating decision. The Veteran is requested to undergo an examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The Veteran's service treatment records are not included in the claims file.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for combat neurosis due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for further development.

The Veteran's attempt to opt-in to the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) system for his increased PTSD rating claim was dismissed because he did not file a VA Form 10182 within the required time frame.