PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, dysthymic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder are granted. The diagnoses were based on a corroborated in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 70 percent.,The Veteran's endometriosis does not warrant a compensable rating.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's Morton's neuroma is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's stage 3 kidney disease is remanded to determine its relationship to her prescribed medication.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his preexisting condition clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. The Veteran's alleged stressor has not been verified.

The Board has determined that the evidence is insufficient to resolve the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and anemia, and thus remanded these issues.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including left foot pain, back disability, hearing loss, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and neurobehavioral effects related to chemical exposure. The claims for insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, migraines, right knee condition, left knee condition, PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder, and alcohol abuse are remanded due to the need for further examination and evidence collection.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and TBI is being remanded due to the receipt of additional VA clinical documentation and examination records. The Veteran has not waived review of these documents.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for TB residuals was denied. The Board found no evidence of active TB or TB related symptomatology during the pendency of the appeal. For TDIU, the Veteran met the criteria under 38 C.F.R. � 4.16(a) as he had two or more disabilities with at least one rated at 40 percent or more and sufficient additional disability to bring the combined rating to at least 70 percent. The Veteran is already in receipt of SMC benefits, thus TDIU was not granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability as secondary to his service-connected low back disability. The claims for PTSD and sleep apnea are remanded due to procedural deficiencies.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since July 25, 2017, with occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks, chronic sleep impairment, intrusive thoughts, avoidance behaviors, hypervigilance, and difficulty concentrating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for separate evaluations of PTSD and TBI, as well as clarification of the VA examiner's opinion regarding which symptoms are attributable to each condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases for its decision regarding a higher rating for major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and PTSD. The Court found that the Board's October 2019 findings were conclusory in the absence of adequate foundation, citing Gilbert v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 49 (1990).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to insufficient evidence showing that he requires regular aid and assistance from another person.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, a right foot disability, and asthma due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for PTSD and a rating for depressive disorder. The Veteran's representative is seeking to appeal the initial rating assigned for depressive disorder, but this issue does not affect the main appeal of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since September 18, 2009. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis are met.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The case is remanded to determine the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating.,The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left hip, right hip, and back disabilities is REMANDED.,PTSD ratings are also REMANDED.

The Board has denied service connection for rashes and remanded the issues of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, gout, acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and mood disorder, duodenal ulcer, gastrointestinal disorder, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type 2 (DMII), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).