PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD at any time during the appeal period, and therefore service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD and depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent. The case is remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected condition and for consideration of a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for additional retroactive compensation payments as a result of an increased rating from 30 percent to 50 percent for PTSD disability, effective May 27, 2010 is denied. The VA correctly calculated the retroactive payment amount and did not award full retroactive compensation at the new combined 80 percent rate due to prior payments.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to the confirmed in-service stressors and fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during her deployments.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent effective November 22, 2016. Effective May 10, 2023, the rating for PTSD was increased to 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for corneal scarring was withdrawn. The left ankle fracture residuals, status-post surgery, are rated at 10 percent.,PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent and the Veteran is granted a TDIU as of June 21, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the causes of death and whether the Veteran's pancreatic cancer was related to his service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a VA medical opinion on these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is dismissed as the claim has been mooted by an April 2023 rating decision that granted service connection for depressive disorder due to general medical condition with depressive/anxious features.,Service connection for residuals of a nose injury, to include a deviated septum, is denied because there is no persuasive evidence of current disability or symptoms related to the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet his burden of establishing an inability to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating of 70 percent or more.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 12, 2017 for the grant of service connection for PTSD with schizoaffective disorder and cannabis use disorder moderate to severe was denied. The Board found no basis for earlier assignment of an effective date.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to April 18, 2017 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board denied an initial rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD and a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and verifying in-service stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during the period on appeal, warranting a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated examinations and additional opinions regarding his service-connected conditions, including residuals of a right 5th metacarpal fracture, cervical strain, lumbar strain, TBI, tinnitus, and PTSD. The AOJ should ensure that these examinations are scheduled and completed.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to November 2, 2021 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board found that these symptoms more closely approximated a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depressive disorder). The remaining issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disability, hypertension, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction due to ambiguities in medical opinions and inconsistencies with prior examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and further development of her claim. The matter will be returned to the AOJ for initial consideration.