PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Oak Hill Hospital on September 2, 2017 are now covered by VA as the treatment was rendered in a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to life or health and no other feasible options were available.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU have been remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee pain, PTSD, and hypertension due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The issues have been reopened for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and GAD, was granted in a January 2023 rating decision. The matter is dismissed as the appeal has been resolved.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and HIV. The Veteran needs additional examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial rating for his psychiatric disorder remains at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded the issues of higher ratings and TDIU.

Service connection for left knee disability, including knee medial meniscal symptoms and degenerative joint disease, is granted as secondary to service-connected right total knee arthroplasty.,Service connection for PTSD and unspecified anxiety disorder is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum medical opinion regarding the relationship between PTSD and substance abuse, and to refer TDIU from October 8, 2015 to March [REDACTED], 2020 to the VA Director of Compensation Service.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for a new VA examination. A TDIU claim is also being remanded as the Veteran has not provided her educational and occupational history.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine, right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, and PTSD.,The Veteran's current diagnoses are supported by medical evidence, and there is a reasonable doubt in favor of his claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of November 29, 2017, for a 100 percent rating for PTSD with alcohol abuse. The effective date is based on the earliest date entitlement to such a rating was shown.

The Veteran's service-connected mental health disabilities, specifically PTSD and major depressive disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder have been granted a disability rating of 70 percent, effective July 9, 2018. Additionally, the Veteran has been granted entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 1, 2014 is being remanded due to procedural issues and the need for a determination on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury and an increased rating for lumbosacral strain have been withdrawn. The TDIU claim has also been denied as the evidence is insufficient to establish that his service-connected disabilities alone are of such severity so as to preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety is granted. The Board finds the evidence to be in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is related to his military service.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The private examiner opined that it was more likely than not secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including scheduling an updated psychiatric examination for PTSD and assessing the Veteran's ability to care for daily needs due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 100% effective July 1, 2013. The Board finds remand necessary to secure VA treatment records and determine the Veteran's income as a personal trainer between July 9, 2012 and February 25, 2013.

The Veteran was granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from May 7, 2010, to March 31, 2013, due to the combined effects of service-connected disabilities preventing substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The TDIU claim prior to November 25, 2019, is granted.