PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current mental health symptoms and his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for information about the qualifications of a March 2016 VA examiner. The appellant's representative requested this information in order to determine if the examiner was qualified to provide an opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension due to insufficient evidence of a current disability or persistent symptoms, as well as inadequate development of the record. The Veteran is entitled to VA examinations to confirm her diagnoses and determine their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and for a temporary total rating for PTSD based on hospitalization.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment from December 31, 2015. From March 28, 2017, the Veteran's award of TDIU was predicated on PTSD alone and his additional service-connected disabilities were independently ratable at 60 percent or more.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are related to in-service stressors, leading to service connection for these conditions. Service connection is also granted for urinary dysfunction.

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD have been granted service connection.,A remand is ordered for further examination to determine the etiology of his bilateral ankle disability, and an updated medical opinion regarding his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and consideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection, including PTSD. The examiner is requested to clarify the nature of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder(s), diagnose any PTSD based on personal assault (MST) or other stressors, and determine if it is at least as likely as not related to in-service events.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to determine if his service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for specially adapted housing benefits due to anatomical loss or use of a lower extremity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board is remanding these issues due to insufficient evidence.,Further examination and evaluation are needed to determine if the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not more closely approximate the level of impairment required for a higher disability rating, and thus his claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and unverified stressor claims. The Veteran will need to provide authorization for private treatment records, obtain Social Security Administration records, and undergo a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and OSA, in combination, prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment throughout the period on appeal. The Board granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe without psychotic features, cognitive impairment and with residuals of traumatic brain injury is granted a 70 percent disability rating. The Veteran's cluster headaches are granted a 30 percent disability rating for the entire appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a tonsillectomy, finding no current disability related to the procedure. The issue of entitlement to increased ratings and TDIU was also remanded due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left knee disability, and a right hip disability have been denied as there is no evidence to support the contention that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted an initial 70 percent rating, but no higher, from March 7, 2016. The lung disorder issue is remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination and determine the presence, nature, and etiology of any found psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and issues related to service connection for PTSD due to military sexual trauma (MST). The Veteran's correct contact information needs to be verified, and a VA examination is required to determine if an in-service stressor event occurred and whether the Veteran currently has PTSD as a result of such event.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, the case is remanded as additional development is needed to corroborate the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and to determine if his current PTSD is related to service.