PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection is denied as the May 2009 denial was final and no new claims were submitted prior to the May 31, 2018 reopening of his previously denied claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for verification of the Veteran's claimed stressors. The claim will be reconsidered after these issues are addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating higher than 70 percent, resulting in a denial of his claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including GAD, depression and PTSD, as well as a higher disability rating for her lumbosacral strain with IVDS are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for additional evidentiary development due to a significant change in his employment status and the need to reassess whether he has an employment handicap or serious employment handicap.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed as the reduction in VA disability compensation benefits during his period of incarceration was proper, and the debt created by overpayment of VA benefits during that period was valid. However, the Veteran received forgiveness of the debt on May 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and TBI residuals. The examiner is asked to provide a response considering the classified nature of USS Simon Lake's operations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, back disability, and any psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, adjustment disorder, bipolar disorder, and insomnia. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether there is additional disability resulting from a disease or injury that was superimposed upon the Veteran's personality disorder as a result of service.

An earlier effective date of May 31, 2015, but no earlier, for the assignment of an increased rating of 50 percent for service-connected migraines is granted. An earlier effective date of May 31, 2015, but no earlier, for the assignment of a 10 percent rating for the service-connected left knee strain and patellofemoral syndrome is granted. As of May 31, 2015, a disability rating of 70 percent, but no higher, for the service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is granted.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was initially denied in 2004 due to lack of verified stressor. After new evidence was associated with the file, including military records and VA treatment records from April 2000, service connection for PTSD was granted effective January 22, 2008. The Board found that an earlier effective date is warranted based on newly associated service department records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

For the period from March 6, 2009 to June 21, 2011, the Veteran was not found unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.,Beginning June 22, 2011, the Veteran is granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50 percent disability rating for the period prior to October 9, 2015. The Board found that her symptoms of reduced reliability and productivity due to PTSD, sleep impairment, hypervigilance, avoidance, panic attacks, and mildly impaired judgment are more severe than what was previously determined.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD. However, these claims are still pending as they need further examination to determine if the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma associated with diabetes mellitus, type II and PTSD due to his death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased disability rating for PTSD and TDIU have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder claims are being remanded for further evaluation, including a new VA examination. The TDIU claim is also being deferred until the PTSD and depressive disorder claims are resolved.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder symptoms did not cause the level of impairment required for a disability rating of 100 percent, and therefore his claim for a higher rating is denied.

The appeals seeking a schedular rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, service connection for diabetes, and service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the facial area, right and left upper extremities, and right and left lower extremities are dismissed. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.