PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to particulate matter during Southwest Asia service. The claims for pulmonary disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder), PTSD, gastrointestinal disorder (GERD), and headaches are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder have been rated at 70 percent since March 1, 2022. The rating is based on the severity of his psychiatric symptoms that cause occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from February 19, 2014, to January 1, 2017. The Board also remanded the cases for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU rating prior to and after this period.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of December 19, 2003 for the grant of service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder. The Board found that this claim was raised in a notice of disagreement filed on December 19, 2003.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has decided to remand this issue for further evaluation due to new evidence suggesting a worsened disability picture.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted as service-connected. The right knee condition and left knee condition are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for PTSD and a spinal column disability is granted, but the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective February 27, 2015. The Board has granted a higher rating for PTSD and denied any request for an even higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for a compensable evaluation for PTSD, leading to the dismissal of this case.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment from February 14, 2017 to March 20, 2022. Prior to this date, the evidence does not support a finding of unemployability due to his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. An additional VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. He is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C and increased ratings for PTSD, multiple traumas to left hand, dermatitis, and a scar are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD with secondary alcohol dependence from January 1, 2013, to January 15, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective September 13, 2018. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to this date or after it.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70% to 50%, but the Board found this reduction improper and restored the original 70% rating effective July 1, 2016.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder and TBI residuals are granted a 100% rating effective April 26, 2016. A 30% rating is granted for nephrolithiasis. Service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with alcohol-related disorder is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a psychiatric examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are at least as likely as not related to his in-service stressors of combat exposure.