PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and anxiety disorder. A new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's PTSD disability rating from 50% to 70%, effective January 1, 2019. The Veteran was also granted TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU and service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that his disabilities did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to December 11, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD as being secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional evidence being associated with the claims file and a request for clarification from the Veteran regarding his TDIU claim. The case will be readjudicated after receiving the requested information.

The Veteran's PTSD with insomnia was granted a 70 percent evaluation, effective April 8, 2020. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms and their impact on occupational and social functioning.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD prior to May 17, 2022 is denied.,The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU prior to August 27, 2019 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating for the period from March 16, 2017, to November 19, 2022. A higher rating of greater than 70 percent for PTSD beginning on November 19, 2022, and entitlement to TDIU are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to an issue regarding special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance. Other service connection issues are not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was granted. The Board found that the evidence supports a link between his in-service stressors and his current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations obtained on remand are inadequate and requires additional opinions to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD and adjustment disorder) and sleep disorders (including OSA and insomnia).

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional examinations and development of his claims, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and increased ratings for cervical and thoracolumbar spine conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination and the need for additional records, including private treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's service connection claims for GERD and gastritis are denied as they do not meet the criteria for direct or presumptive service connection. However, his PTSD claim is granted based on personal assaults / a pattern of harassment during active duty.,PTSD service connection is granted due to in-service personal assaults / a pattern of harassment. Major depressive disorder with associated anxiety, insomnia, and memory loss are also granted as they can be linked to the Veteran's period of active service.,The Veteran's bowel disturbance with abdominal distress (an intestinal condition) qualifies as a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. � 3.317 due to his Persian Gulf service. His type II diabetes mellitus is also granted as a qualifying chronic disability resulting from undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multi-symptom illness.,Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) with angina (chest pain) and hypertension are both granted secondary to the Veteran's now service-connected hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) with angina (chest pain).,PTSD, major depressive disorder, alcohol abuse, and polysubstance abuse disorders are all granted as secondary to his now service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is granted a 20 percent rating based on orthopedic manifestations. His tension headaches have been granted the maximum 50 percent rating from August 26, 2013.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding total occupational and social impairment due to severe symptoms including paranoia, delusions, memory lapses, substance abuse, and difficulty sleeping.

The Veteran's PTSD to include unspecified alcohol-related disorder is rated at 70 percent from March 15, 2018, through April 8, 2019. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea and a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of PTSD prior to December 22, 2016 and from December 22, 2016 to June 13, 2019 have been denied. The effective date for service connection remains May 1, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective February 27, 2014. A TDIU due to service-connected PTSD is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not total occupational and social impairment. The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's dental disorder claim is denied as he does not have a current condition for which compensation may be awarded. The hepatitis C and PTSD claims are remanded due to the need for additional development.