PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's PTSD and TDIU claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and for extraschedular consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his service in Vietnam and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the VA examination report is inadequate and requires further evaluation to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for a psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD and depression. The examination did not adequately address existing medical evidence of record or consider other possible diagnoses.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and to determine the current severity of his service-connected PTSD, back condition, right lower extremity radiculopathy, headaches, right knee condition, left knee condition, and TDIU. The Veteran also needs VA examinations to address theories of entitlement related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder. The TDIU claim is also remanded as inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for PTSD, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted within one year of the February 2008 rating decision. The effective date remains at May 30, 2013.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to clarify the Veteran's service from October 1988 to July 1996, as there are no records detailing his reserve service. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's death is found to be related to or attributable to his military service, including as due to service-connected PTSD and alcohol abuse secondary to the PTSD. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other mental health disorder.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for a higher disability rating and an earlier effective date for PTSD. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating of 100 percent prior to October 23, 2017. The Board found that his symptoms were more closely aligned with a 70 percent disability rating. For TDIU, the Veteran met the schedular requirements as he had multiple service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since the beginning of the appeal period, effective April 17, 2021.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is related to his active service and service connection for this condition is granted. The low back disability remains remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted, and he is now entitled to a 10% evaluation.,For the periods from May 2, 2018, to June 30, 2020, and beginning September 16, 2020, the Veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability was granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a stressor related to his in-service experiences, and the diagnosis of PTSD did not meet the criteria set forth by the DSM-IV.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep disturbances, and hemorrhoids. The appeal for service connection of a sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance is remanded due to concerns about his mental acuity since a previous VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD results in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a disability rating of 100 percent. The Board also granted service connection for dislocated ribs but remanded the issue due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for TBI and PTSD with depression, but has remanded both issues due to insufficient rationale in the VA examination reports.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and disability ratings have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his attorney.