PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's PTSD was denied a higher rating, and the TDIU issue was dismissed as moot due to his total disability status from esophageal cancer.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and dysthymia) due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain records from federal agencies and provide notice on personal assault stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received after the issuance of a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The AOJ is required to review this new evidence and consider its impact on the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has precluded him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his prior work history, warranting a TDIU since July 25, 2016.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% rating. The lower back disability has also been rated at the maximum allowable under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder is granted. The claims for service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease, right hip disability, left hip disability, and hypertension are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and potential relevance of Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has determined that there is not substantial compliance with the remand directives and thus, a new remand is necessary to ensure due process and a complete record for the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD, left hand tremors, and right hand tremors due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity and cubital tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity are not considered secondary to service-connected lymphatic lymphoma.,Service connection for DJD of the left knee is granted as it is caused by service-connected lymphatic lymphoma. Service connection for osteoarthritis of the left elbow is also granted under the same reasoning.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and inextricably intertwined issues. The claims include PTSD, a liver condition, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other trauma and stressor-related disorders, finding that his current condition is more likely than not related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective October 16, 2019. Prior to this date, the rating was 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with prior remand instructions regarding the severity of the Veteran's PTSD symptoms and periods during the appeal period in which his psychological impairment increased.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) as the accident was caused by willful misconduct, not due to alcohol abuse related to PTSD.

The Board has dismissed all appeals as the Veteran's benefits have been fully granted in a previous decision.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, based on the Veteran's reported in-service stressors and confirmed diagnosis by a VA psychologist.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids are currently assigned a noncompensable rating. The claim for service connection for major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for PTSD and erectile dysfunction (ED) is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities, have precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since January 27, 2016. As such, TDIU is granted effective that date.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, finding no credible in-service stressor event that would support a diagnosis of PTSD. The diagnoses of depression and anxiety were also not supported by the evidence.