PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has additional mental disorders, and if those disorders are related to her period of active service. Additionally, a new VA examination is required to assess the current severity of her service-connected lumbar strain with status post discectomy of L5-S1 and L5 laminectomy.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and dysthymia as they were not incurred in combat-related operations, thus VA compensation could be deducted from the Veteran's disability severance pay.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disability, bipolar disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and coronary occlusion resulting in acute angina with respiratory problems (heart disability).,There is no current evidence of a diagnosed condition related to the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran was granted an initial 70 percent disability rating for PTSD and entitlement to a TDIU effective from April 21, 2022.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD met the criteria for a higher initial disability rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted, raising the possibility of substantiating the Veteran's claim.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is proximately caused by VA care.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to lack of verified in-service stressors and need for further examination regarding INACDUTRA service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including ankle condition, hip condition, tinnitus, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), need further investigation. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's reported stressor and obtain outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent under either Diagnostic Code 5276 or Diagnostic Code 5269. For TDIU, the Veteran met the schedular criteria and the Board granted an extraschedular TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to March 22, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that there was no current non-PTSD psychiatric disability and attributing all symptoms to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding ratings for PTSD, gunshot wound to left gastrocnemius with scar, and bronchial asthma due to lack of case or controversy.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia, finding that his current condition is related to his active service and resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence that a pre-existing psychiatric disorder existed at entry into service. The Veteran's stressors were not verified, and his current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 24, 2010, for the grant of a 70 percent disability rating for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and anxiety disorder) is granted. The Board finds that from August 24, 2010, it was factually ascertainable that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's PTSD symptoms most closely approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is denied. The Veteran's fracture of the left fifth toe with degenerative joint disease is granted a 20% rating. The issue of service connection for a left shoulder condition is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder due to lack of corroborated in-service stressors. Service connection for Major Depression is remanded.