PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating for PTSD with depressive disorder and TDIU prior to January 2, 2019 are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted as of March 11, 2015.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating for DDD of the cervical spine, C5-6 is remanded.

A 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted from May 17, 2018 to September 26, 2022.,Radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities are each granted a separate 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD prior to June 18, 2018, is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 18, 2018, for the award of a TDIU is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of a diagnosis prior to death. The case is remanded for further development regarding bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions result in the need for regular aid and attendance, which has been granted special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's chest pain disorder is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or due to a service-connected condition.,The left knee disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further examination and opinion. The COPD claim is also remanded.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded, with the Veteran asserting his symptoms are related to in-service stressors. Service connection for COPD is also remanded based on the Veteran's assertion of gas exposure during service.,The left knee disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further examination and opinion. The COPD claim is also remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding the diagnosis and causation of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot since December 21, 2021, due to the receipt of a 100% schedular rating and special monthly compensation (SMC). The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to December 21, 2021, is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, MDD, anxiety, and insomnia, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced regarding whether these conditions are etiologically linked to the Veteran's active service or her service-connected migraine headache disability.

The Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. The Board also found in favor of the Veteran on her claim for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by her in-service stressors.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are granted as they are at least as likely as not related to his military service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The claim for an initial rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD prior to March 26, 2019 is denied. The claim for an effective date earlier than January 22, 2013 for the award of service connection for PTSD is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and to obtain medical records. The issues of rating PTSD, hearing loss, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was granted, and he received a 50% rating for his PTSD as of February 24, 2016. The Board also found that the Veteran's PTSD warranted a 100% rating.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD) claims are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.,The right hand, left hand, left foot, right knee, right hip, and right leg disability claims are denied due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, finding credible evidence of the claimed stressful events during service and a link between current symptoms and those events. Service connection was also granted for major depressive disorder as aggravated by service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to the failure to appear at a scheduled VA examination. The Board finds 'good cause' to afford the Veteran another opportunity to attend a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD rating is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated Vet Center records and scheduling a new VA examination. Additionally, the Veteran's claim for TDIU is also being remanded.

The Board is remanding the case to search for historical records and ensure all relevant documents are secured, including treatment records from a VA Alcohol and Drug Use program in 1976 and any claims filed in 1973 or 1974. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD remains pending.