PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a respiratory condition (including COPD and asthma) and a psychiatric disability (PTSD). The Veteran's treatment records from Thundermist Health Center and Fatima Hospital need to be obtained, and an appropriate VA examination is required if these records show current diagnoses of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened and granted effective August 10, 2016. The Board denied an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the claims for left ear hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and a dental condition due to missing VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the November 2018 VA examination and opinion, requiring a new examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and remanded the issues of entitlement to a higher rating for acquired respiratory conditions, including COPD, emphysema with pleural plaques, bronchiolitis, and asbestosis, and entitlement to a separate compensable rating for pleural plaques. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, his sleep apnea is service connected, he is granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability, and he has been denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence regarding the Veteran's PTSD diagnosis. The Veteran needs to provide a letter from his VA psychologist clarifying his DSM-5 diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection due to MST and granted service connection for PTSD, MDD, and AUD. The evidence provided by the Veteran, her husband, and a friend was found credible and corroborated the Veteran's account of sexual assault during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is related to his service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available. The appeal for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU prior to December 16, 2019 have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and the need for additional evidence. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are considered, but his lay statements regarding needing aid and attendance are also taken into account.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and TDIU prior to March 21, 2019 are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition. The claims for PTSD and anxiety disorder are remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of stressors and psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is etiologically related to his active-duty service and granted the claim for service connection.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of left ear hearing loss and left knee conditions. The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a 100% disability rating, effective from May 17, 2018, and TDIU is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, PTSD, hypoesthesia of the lateral third of the left lower lip, lumbar strain, irritable bowel syndrome, dermatitis, and bilateral tinnitus are all granted. The Veteran is assigned a 10% rating for each condition.

The Veteran's left Achilles tendon rupture and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) are remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors, including failure to consider the theory of aggravation and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD and acne has been dismissed.,Service connection for TBI is granted, but the claim for hypertension secondary to service-connected PTSD or sleep apnea remains pending.