PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) due to inadequate development of evidence, including the need for a VA medical opinion on the relationship between any diagnosed conditions and in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but it does not result in total social and occupational impairment for the entire period of service connection. The Veteran was granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD prior to December 11, 2018, and his appeals for GERD, tension headaches, and GI condition were withdrawn.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and he seeks a higher rating. The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate November 2018 VA examination that did not address his nightmares.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been granted service connection.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings remain before it and have been remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include psychiatric disabilities, headaches, a disability characterized by chest pains, and a vision disability.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) because it failed to provide an adequate statement of reasons or bases for its denial. The Veteran's employment was not considered in a protected work environment, and the AOJ must address this issue with review of all evidence received since the November 2021 supplemental statement of case.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is currently rated at 30 percent prior to July 12, 2021 and 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve) is currently rated at 20 percent throughout the appeal period.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder remains in dispute and has been remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to consider the Veteran's prior medical history. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining new VA psychiatric and back examinations.

The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD is denied. The Board found that no prior event or submission memorialized in the record warrants an effective date earlier than January 18, 2018.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of credible supporting evidence that the alleged in-service stressor occurred. The case is remanded for further examination and consideration of other psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these issues.,Service connection claims for high lead in bone marrow, sleep apnea, and low testosterone were denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the VA opinion obtained is insufficient and requires further development, including a new examination to address the Veteran's lay testimony regarding his anxiety symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability has been granted. The claims for stomach condition, left knee disability, right knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been granted an increased rating to 70 percent effective February 8, 2017. The appeal is remanded for further examination and consideration of a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his active service.,The Veteran's headaches are found to be related to his service-connected cervical spine disability.,The Veteran's TBI is found to be related to his active service.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is found to be related to his active service.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to be related to his active service.,The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues of mental health disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, kidney stone condition, right knee disability, left knee disability, osteoarthritis of the cervical spine associated with ankylosing spondylitis, and left hip condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected regional complex pain syndrome of left lower extremity.,Service connection has also been granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and insomnia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, trauma/stressor-related disorder, and/or PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence linking his current diagnoses to service.