PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and OCD, are related to his military service. The appeal is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to substantially comply with its March 2022 remand order, requiring an addendum opinion on the etiology of any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder was dismissed as the legacy appeal stream is no longer applicable due to the vacatur of the June 2006 Board decision.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), finding that the Veteran's PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by service and there is no credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities, as well as his PTSD, are granted with initial ratings of 20 percent each. The issues of service connection for hearing loss, neck disability, and radiculopathy in the upper extremities have been remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the reopening of service connection for PTSD, and the Board dismissed this issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar disability, a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for his major depressive disorder with PTSD, an earlier effective date for his major depressive disorder with PTSD, and a TDIU claim. The issues are being referred back to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's left knee strain status post-surgery, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), bilateral pes planus, right Achilles' tendonitis, and sleep apnea have been granted service connection. The cervical spine disability has not been established as related to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board has remanded for additional development. The right knee disability and TDIU prior to January 14, 2015 are also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in total occupational and social impairment prior to March 31, 2020, due to symptoms such as gross impairment in thought processes or communication, persistent delusions or hallucinations, and grossly inappropriate behavior. The Board granted a rating of 100 percent for this period.

The Veteran's PTSD with other specified depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has remanded both his claim for a higher rating and his TDIU claim due to new evidence and symptom progression.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including an earlier effective date for other specified depressive disorder and increased ratings for TBI-related conditions. The claims are being referred back to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since April 11, 2018, and a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted as of August 21, 2020. The appeal for an earlier effective date remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to provide proper notice for a VA examination, and the need to verify the Veteran's current contact information.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for PTSD and hearing loss are denied as there is no evidence of a formal or informal claim prior to the date of receipt of his VA Form 21-526 EZ Fully Developed Claim on January 25, 2017.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus is also denied as he did not file a valid intent to file a claim prior to March 9, 2018. The claims are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss requires additional evidence and a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus is remanded as there is conflicting evidence regarding the treatment regimen required due to his diabetes. A new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his diabetes and any associated complications.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for blurred eyesight requires a VA examination to determine if it is related to service or caused by his diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD requires a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition since his last examination in March 2019.,The Veteran's claim for prostate discomfort requires a VA examination to determine if it is related to service or caused by his diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims and service connection claims on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent rating since August 22, 2012 and a 100 percent rating since June 10, 2014. A TDIU is granted throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives regarding a letter from the Veteran's treating VA psychologist, Dr. F.M., regarding clarification of his PTSD diagnosis.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and PTSD, is granted as service connected. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether the claimed in-service stressors occurred.

The Board has determined that the previous VA examiner opinions were insufficient and requires a new opinion from another VA examiner to determine if any non-PTSD psychiatric diagnosis is related to service or caused by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since June 30, 2020. The rating remains denied prior to that date.