PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD in the record.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the service connection claim related to an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD. The claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for disabilities of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right and left shoulders, as well as the temporary total disability rating due to hospital treatment in excess of 21 days, are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD with depressive disorder was denied as his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.,Service connection for residuals of a stroke, to include as secondary to herbicide agent exposure and service-connected PTSD, was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a rating of 70 percent prior to March 21, 2019. Sleep apnea and headaches are granted service connection based on the PACT Act presumption. The effective date for these grants is not specified.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II with associated peripheral neuropathy and PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. Effective November 3, 2022, the Veteran is granted a TDIU and SMC for his disability rating.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD, low back disability, and alcoholism. The claims for right knee and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 1, 2011, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted. The claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and multiple sclerosis have been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received to support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent prior to August 30, 2018, for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder was denied. The Veteran also had her TDIU granted as of December 19, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea on a secondary basis, finding that the Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder served as an intermediate step between his current diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea and obesity.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected psychiatric disability is remanded due to the possibility of an increase in severity. Additional development, including obtaining VA and non-VA treatment records, is required.

The Veteran's compensation benefits were improperly reduced beginning August 8, 2014, due to incarceration. The reduction should have started on June 22, 2015, after the conviction for a felony. The COLA issued in December 2018 was proper and effective from December 1, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives and the need for updated VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of a mental health disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have substantially contributed to his suicide, thus granting service connection for the cause of death and burial benefits.

The Veteran's TDIU, SMC at the housebound rate, and DEA benefits were granted effective from February 21, 2017. The Board denied earlier effective dates for these benefits.,There is no evidence of a permanent total service-connected disability prior to February 21, 2017, which would have allowed for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his posttraumatic stress disorder with major depression is granted prior to September 1, 2020. However, the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent from September 1, 2020, forward is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia disorder, mild neurocognitive disorder, and traumatic brain injury are rated at 70 percent prior to February 26, 2021, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter. Headaches are rated at 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his in-service stressor of physical assault by a drill instructor.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 16, 2021.