PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD and TDIU due to issues not fully addressed in the previous decision, including a need for further assessment of symptoms and occupational impacts.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus was denied, and the claims for service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disability other than PTSD were granted. The grant of service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD is based on new evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not cause total occupational and social impairment. The Board finds that the level of impairment caused by the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximates the level associated with a 70 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for further development, including obtaining missing stressor evidence and providing VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a right leg disorder, including PTSD as the cause, was granted. The effective date is June 28, 2006.,Service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of December 28, 2010. The Veteran requested an earlier effective date which was denied.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the current severity of hepatitis, whether service connection for hypertension can be granted based on exposure to herbicide agents under the PACT Act, and if an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD or insomnia disorder are related to service. The Veteran's case will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, and his initial rating for unspecified depressive disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder is related to his in-service experiences, including harassment and racism. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, opioid use disorder, and right knee disability are being remanded due to the submission of additional VA treatment records. The AOJ will review these records and readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is granted as service connected. The evidence supports a finding that the conditions began during active service or are related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded several issues including the evaluation for PTSD, a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for bilateral knee and hip conditions, and TDIU. The AOJ must review the newly added VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD is remanded due to insufficient evidence of the severity of his condition over the past four and a half years. The Board will allow the Veteran to obtain and submit records from his private psychologist, Dr. K.L.U., or any other private practitioner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder, PTSD, and bipolar disorder, are related to his service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70% for the entire increased rating period from October 17, 2018 through October 29, 2020. A TDIU was granted from October 17, 2018 through December 31, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to insufficient consideration of relevant VA treatment records, including one from July 2016 where the Veteran reported suicidal thoughts.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is granted as service connected due to a non-combat in-service stressor.

The Veteran's bladder cancer, including its residuals and voiding dysfunction following prostatectomy, is rated at 40 percent from January 11, 2022, to May 13, 2022. The Veteran's ED is rated as non-compensable since February 1, 2018. The Veteran's PTSD with substance abuse is rated at 70 percent from November 15, 2018, to May 13, 2022. A TDIU is granted for the period between October 1, 2018, and May 13, 2019.

The Board has restored the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD to a 100% rating effective February 1, 2018, as the reduction was improper due to lack of evidence showing actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Veteran is granted a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) at rate pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(2), as his service-connected disabilities render him in need of a higher level of care without which he would require residential institutional care.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified anxiety disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from October 2, 2015 to April 3, 2022.,The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified anxiety disorder did not result in total occupational and social impairment at any point during the appeal period.