PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss do not prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for major depressive disorder. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for a VA opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities from March 19, 2020. The evidence shows that he was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation because of his headaches, diabetes, and other disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to August 23, 2006 for service connection of a shrapnel wound and PTSD were denied as the evidence did not show that the RO received an intent to file a claim or informal communication indicative of the Veteran's desire to seek service connection for these conditions prior to August 23, 2006.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to February 2, 2017 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter, as well as his claim for a TDIU prior to that date. The appeals are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of November 20, 2003 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was granted. The decision is based on new and material evidence submitted in April 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, gunshot wound to the right chest wall, hyperesthesia of the eighth cranial nerve, and tinnitus, rendered him unemployable. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's PTSD has worsened, causing occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board finds that a higher rating of 70% is warranted from December 28, 2018.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on his service-connected abdominal scars and urinary incontinence. The issues of TDIU due to service-connected conditions and a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to June 26, 2020, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter for posttraumatic stress disorder with depressive disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for dissociative amnesia, conversion disorder, non-epileptic seizures, and PTSD due to a lack of a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as schizoaffective disorder. The decision is based on the reopening of these claims due to new evidence provided by the Veteran.

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

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing VA and private medical records, as well as federal disability determination records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not yet resolved.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, TMJ, and various musculoskeletal conditions have been denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for these conditions are also denied.,Additionally, the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, left knee disability, lower back disability, neck disability, acquired skin disorder (PFB, eczema, lichen simplex), and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depressive disorder). The claim for bilateral pes planus is granted due to aggravation of a pre-existing condition during active service. The other claims are remanded as new evidence has been received but the Board did not find it sufficient to grant service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service-connected PTSD is remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claims for PTSD and TBI is granted. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding PFB scarring, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and TBI.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD was dismissed because he withdrew his request for a hearing and is already receiving the maximum disability compensation (100% pay).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, is granted as service connected. The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of chronic or recurrent hypertension during service.