PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective August 30, 2018. The earlier effective date for the increased rating of PTSD and TDIU are granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and PTSD, lumbar strain, and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for refractive error has been denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and PTSD are being remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection is also being remanded for a recurrent neurological disability, to include a seizure disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and bilateral knee tendinitis, have rendered her unable to secure or follow any form of substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied.,Prior to September 28, 2021, the Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was evaluated at 50 percent. The appeal for an increased rating is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including headaches and bilateral eye condition, are denied as there is no objective evidence of current disabilities. The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is less likely than not caused by military noise exposure.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 4, 2018, for the grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD. The Veteran's earlier claim was not considered due to a lack of new and material evidence within one year of the January 2018 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevents him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU. Additionally, his additional service-connected disabilities meet the requirements for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s)(1).

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, and his current 50% rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression with anti-social personality disorder, on the basis of substitution. The evidence is approximately balanced as to whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disability was related to his active service.

The Board has found procedural errors and has ordered the Veteran's private medical records, VA treatment records, and service treatment records to be obtained. The claims for service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and service connection for his acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, moderate recurrent major depression, insomnia, and psychotic disorder NOS is remanded due to inadequate examination and lack of verification of stressor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his in-service stressor.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 25, 2018 for the award of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The Appellant filed her intent to file a claim on April 25, 2018 and submitted a formal application within one year.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, MDD, and GAD. The Board will remand the case for a new VA examination to address the credibility of the Veteran's reported stressors.

The Board has remanded the claims for left hand nerve damage, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), sleep apnea, and acid reflux due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, PTSD, and colon cancer are all found to be related to his active service.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for PTSD, mechanical low back pain, arthritis, and left hand injury. However, further development is needed as new VA examinations are required to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for clarification regarding the appellant's claimed cervical radiculopathy, headaches, and tinnitus. The issues of service connection remain pending.