PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

Your appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to your withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for a headache disability. The remaining issues, including those related to scars of the head, closed head injury, gastrointestinal disability, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, are remanded due to procedural or evidentiary deficiencies.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. The issues will be addressed again after additional evidence is obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone supports an award of total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disability, and his other service-connected disabilities combined exceed a 60% rating. Therefore, SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) is granted for the purpose of accrued benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, dysthymic disorder, or multi personality disorder is denied. The claims for increased ratings of left ankle sprain and plantar fasciitis are also denied. The TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of September 14, 2022. However, the evidence prior to that date suggests he was also unemployable due to his obstructive sleep apnea and PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected chronic headache disorder, PTSD, and lumbosacral strain with arthritis are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining SSA records and contacting the Veteran to obtain prison medical records. The issues of rating PTSD and TDIU are being reviewed.

The Veteran's PTSD rating has been increased to 70 percent, but the appeal for a higher rating remains. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD has been granted with a 100% disability rating. The issue of entitlement to a compensable disability rating due to multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities under 38 C.F.R. Section 3.324 is moot as the Veteran already has a full grant of benefits for his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective September 2, 2010. An earlier effective date of September 2, 2010, for special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to address service connection claims for PTSD, sleep apnea, and other psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's attorney argues that his sleep apnea is related to his service-connected psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted, and the claim to reopen their previous denial of a nervous condition was also granted. The service connection for PTSD is based on evidence that it is related to an in-service personal assault.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for increased evaluations of his lower back disability, left knee disabilities, and surgical scars. The appeal was also remanded to consider a claim for service connection for a left foot disorder.,The Veteran's claims were not supported by current medical evidence showing a diagnosed condition related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is due to a personal assault he experienced during military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that his reported stressors during service are sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss disability is denied due to lack of current evidence meeting VA criteria for a disability. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, cerebrovascular disease (stroke), was related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or cancer malignancy. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the criteria for VA compensation purposes.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral shin splints is remanded due to insufficient evidence of a current diagnosis. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if service connection can be established for PTSD and right ear hearing loss.