PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran will be provided with VA examinations for his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of specific retroactive opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to January 19, 2012. The claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis is referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Services.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of an unspecified respiratory condition due to asbestos exposure. The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for PTSD and TDIU was remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment during the appeal period.

The Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities are denied as service connection is not warranted.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is denied as it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his PTSD.,The Veteran's bilateral blepharitis and early cataracts are denied as they are not etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to in-service stressors related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity while serving in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, TMJ as secondary to PTSD, and IBS as secondary to PTSD. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70% since July 19, 2018 and a total rating is granted effective June 7, 2019. The issue of TDIU prior to that date is remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a remand for further evaluation due to the passage of time and changes in his condition. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it was not adequately addressed.

The Board has dismissed the issue regarding the propriety of reducing the Veteran's PTSD rating from 50% to 30%, as it was found that the reduction was improper and the rating was restored to 70%. The issue of an evaluation higher than 70% for PTSD is being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disorder. The claims for back and left foot disorders are remanded, as is the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC at the housebound rate prior to September 14, 2020 is granted. The criteria were met from August 25, 2015 onward due to his PTSD being rated as 70 percent disabling.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and a left ankle disorder. The evidence did not support finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to in-service events.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to the need for additional evidence, including a new medical opinion. The AOJ is also instructed to review all added evidence since August 30, 2018, and readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected for his period of honorable active service from January 12, 2005 to May 25, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The claims for arthritis and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to December 11, 2017, for a 70 percent staged rating for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD on or after December 11, 2017, is remanded.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD prior to February 24, 2020. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD with MDD, effective July 22, 2010. A separate TDIU rating is granted from November 1, 2015.