PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and MDD has been granted, with the Board finding that reasonable doubt should be resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of TBI has been granted. The issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with associated insomnia and depressed mood, as well as the issue of entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, have both been remanded.

The Veteran's right wrist disability claim is remanded due to the need for a new examination.,The Veteran's PTSD and sleep disorder claims are remanded as they may be related to service or her right wrist disability.,The Veteran's exposure to generator gas fumes claim is remanded to determine if there is a qualifying chronic disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric condition was granted in full. The lower back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy claims were partially resolved, with some issues being granted higher ratings while others remained denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a compensable evaluation for his healed condylar fracture at the neck of the right condyle of the mandible due to insufficient opinions in regard to these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his left knee, right knee, left ankle, sleep disturbances (including sleep apnea), left shoulder osteoarthritis, PTSD, and hypothyroidism. The issues include determining whether these conditions are related to in-service parachute jumps or undiagnosed illnesses/chronic multisymptom illnesses, as well as considering the impact of obesity caused by service-connected disabilities on his current symptoms.,The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating will be remanded so that addendum opinions can address the issues raised by the Board.

The Veteran's right ankle brace damaged his work shoes, but the clothing allowance cannot be granted because eligible articles of clothing were not affected. The claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for TDIU and PTSD disability rating higher than 70 percent due to incomplete employment records. The Veteran's employment records from USPS need to be obtained, as well as updated information regarding her employment history.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to September 8, 2011 and denied for evaluation in excess of that level from September 8, 2011 onwards.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, have precluded him from securing and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation since September 12, 2009. The Board grants an effective date of September 12, 2009 for the TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities other than heart disease due to insufficient information provided by the Veteran regarding his employment situation and educational background.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as anxiety and PTSD, and for an earlier effective date for tinnitus has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board also remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability due to incomplete evidence.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disorder was granted. However, his claim for this condition remains denied.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is denied as there is no current diagnosis and it does not meet the criteria for secondary service connection due to PTSD or sleep apnea.

The appeal of the recoupment of separation pay benefits from VA disability compensation is denied. The dental condition for treatment purposes issue is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and/or maintain substantially gainful employment, qualifying for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to accrued benefits. He was also found not in need of aid and attendance or housebound status for SMC purposes.

The Veteran's PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder are rated at 70 percent effective October 4, 2019. The appeal is granted for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent prior to that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since 2004, and a TDIU rating is granted effective January 18, 2007.

The appeal is dismissed without prejudice due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective October 21, 2022. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.,The Veteran has also been granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.