PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than somatic symptoms disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety due to lack of verified stressors and insufficient evidence linking current diagnoses to military service.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to June 7, 2018, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, migraine headaches, back disability, arthritis of unspecified joints to include left knee disability, residuals of injury to the left and right toes, IBS, and hypertension have been remanded due to incomplete service records and need further examination.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas since September 28, 2018. The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD from that date.,Service connection for hypertension has been granted based on the PACT Act presumption due to exposure during service.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded for further evaluation as the current ratings do not reflect their full severity.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for generalized anxiety disorder, hemorrhoids, residuals of a head injury, migraines, right wrist disability, left wrist disability, left hand disability, PTSD, sleep apnea, jaw disability, and chest pain. The remaining issues have been dismissed.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with PTSD features resulted in a 70 percent rating prior to July 26, 2018.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and in order to address whether the Veteran is entitled to additional disability ratings for his TBI residuals, including symptoms of memory loss, mildly impaired visual spatial orientation, headaches, vertigo, insomnia, decreased focus and concentration. The rating for migraines associated with TBI was also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected unspecified trauma and stress related disorder, claimed as post-traumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the need for further evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, left knee condition, and right knee condition are all related to his military service. The claims for PTSD and the bilateral knee conditions have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, with the current 30 percent rating being maintained prior to January 22, 2019 and a 70 percent rating being maintained from that date through the present.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right ankle sprain is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of June 3, 1985. The claim had been continuously prosecuted since the initial submission in 1985 and relevant service department records were received.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was increased to 50% from December 15, 2015. The low back disability claim is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for respiratory, heart, and hypertension disabilities as secondary to service-connected conditions. The effective date for the PTSD rating remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new examination to determine the current severity of his PTSD, and its effect on his social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but the Board denied a higher rating. The claim for TDIU was granted effective June 18, 2018.

Service connection for varicose veins on the ankles is denied.,For the period prior to July 12, 2019, a disability rating of 70% for PTSD with unspecified anxiety disorder is granted. From July 12, 2019 onwards, a higher rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service military sexual trauma (MST), and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to a lack of verified in-service stressor and medical evidence.