PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining medical opinions on the severity of his PTSD and substance abuse disorders.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are granted, with hypertension being granted under the PACT Act presumption of herbicide exposure. Other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated as a total service-connected disability permanent in nature since May 16, 1985. The appellant is the daughter of the Veteran and pursued education from September 1986 to December 1992. She did not file for retroactive DEA benefits within one year of notification that she was eligible due to her application being submitted after February 10, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded both issues of a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU due to insufficient evidence from the last examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder. The decision is based on evidence that his symptoms are related to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus issues are remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's psychiatric disorder claim is remanded to develop evidence regarding the etiology of his condition.,The Veteran's left knee disability rating is remanded due to a new MRI showing increased severity.,A new VA examination is needed for the left knee issue.

The Board has denied a compensable disability rating for left hydrocele and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's depression and PTSD are not separately service-connected disabilities, and the Board denied increased ratings for PTSD with anxiety, depression, and alcohol use disorder as well as an increased rating for low back disability. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD prior to August 2, 2022, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD symptoms alone. For the period before November 1, 2016, the Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a combined schedular disability rating of at least 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records from Social Security Administration (SSA). The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is being evaluated, and an opinion on its etiology in relation to service is needed.

The Veteran's initial higher rating for PTSD from October 17, 2012 to November 15, 2021 was denied. A higher initial rating in excess of 70 percent for the service-connected PTSD from November 15, 2021 was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder, as well as the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits are all denied. The effective date assigned is April 25, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, service connection for OSA, and TDIU were denied. The decision did not address the service connection claim due to lack of merit.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for bilateral knee disabilities due to a lack of range of motion testing in weight-bearing. The TDIU claim is granted prior to October 13, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since February 8, 2016. This decision grants a higher rating for her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, was reopened due to new evidence. The Board found that the Veteran's active service likely caused his acquired psychiatric disorder and granted service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for right hand disability and psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The issues of service connection for residuals of sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis (claimed as a positive PPD test), sinusitis, and gastrointestinal disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted, and his claims for degenerative disc disease of the spine and bilateral knee arthritis were denied. Service connection for flat feet with bunions is not supported by evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further review due to new evidence received after the issuance of the Statement of the Case (SOC). The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a permanent and total evaluation for PTSD with depressive disorder is being considered, but eligibility for Dependent's Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits will be deferred until this matter is resolved.