PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and insomnia. The Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms are found to be related to his military service.

The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for chronic paranoid schizophrenia is denied. The claims for service connection for PTSD, variously diagnosed psychiatric disorders (to include PTSD), right knee disability, and left knee disability are remanded.

The claims for service connection have been reopened, and tinnitus has been granted. The left forearm and hand disorder is denied as already compensated by the partial amputation. The acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and PTSD) and a back disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran expressing an intent to withdraw all of his remaining claims and appeals prior to a decision.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 4, 2009 for the award of service connection for PTSD, which is the day after the Veteran's separation from active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD and alcohol use disorder were initially rated at 30% prior to June 9, 2017. From June 9, 2017 to September 20, 2018, the rating was increased to 50%. From September 21, 2018 to April 14, 2019, the Veteran's PTSD and alcohol use disorder were rated at 70%.,The Veteran's symptoms worsened from June 9, 2017 to September 20, 2018, warranting a higher rating of 50%. From September 21, 2018 to April 14, 2019, the Veteran's PTSD and alcohol use disorder continued to cause significant impairment, warranting an even higher rating of 70%.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD made him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from September 29, 2014 to the present. A TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to February 16, 2012, did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.,From February 16, 2012, forward, the Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, finding that there is not a current diagnosis of PTSD and no link between his symptoms and service.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for right knee degenerative joint disease, bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for PTSD and sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee degenerative joint disease is denied. His claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss are remanded as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation prior to March 29, 2021, and a 30 percent evaluation thereafter under DC 6100. The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including unspecified depressive disorder and PTSD, are granted service connection. However, the claim for PTSD is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a skin rash was reopened, but denied. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent and not increased.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in 2011 and reopened and granted effective August 29, 2015. The Board found no CUE to grant an earlier effective date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis, hepatitis C, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD). The claim of service connection for a skin disability is also remanded due to its inextricability with the hepatitis C claim. The Board found that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was denied a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 29, 2022 and a rating in excess of 50 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's PTSD was not addressed as it was not on appeal. He was granted TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, finding no evidence of a current diagnosis or link to in-service events.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and PTSD rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU. Additionally, the Veteran was granted special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) due to his single disability rated as 100% and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60%. The decision is effective from the date of the grant of the TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating for PTSD and a TDIU, both prior to August 5, 2014. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD and COPD are being remanded for further evaluation due to recent testimony indicating worsening conditions and the need for updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to January 28, 2023. The Board found that the evidence did not show total social impairment, which is required for a higher rating.