PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has granted an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD from May 29, 2003, based on a finding of clear and unmistakable error in the January 2005 rating decision.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The case is being remanded due to inadequate development, specifically regarding an examination that was not conducted as per previous directives.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. For PTSD, the initial rating in excess of 30 percent prior to March 7, 2017, and an initial 50 percent rating from March 7, 2017 to June 24, 2018 were granted; however, a higher initial 70 percent rating was granted starting July 24, 2018.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from December 9, 2011 due to his service-connected disabilities. The effective date for this TDIU determination is set at July 17, 2015.

The Veteran was granted TDIU effective January 1, 2011. The effective date for the grant of basic eligibility to DEA benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is also set at January 1, 2011.,The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment from January 1, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for a right hand disability, bilateral ankle disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent, but not higher, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is granted. The initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 1, 2021, remains in appellate status as the RO has already granted a higher rating effective from that date. Right upper, left upper, right lower, and left lower extremity neuropathies are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent from March 23, 2001 to January 30, 2007.,A TDIU was granted prior to August 30, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings and total disability due to individual unemployability related to his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including cannabis disorder claimed as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and trouble sleeping; increased ratings for right and left knee disorders; increased ratings for right and left ankle disorders; and a TDIU. Additional evidence is needed to determine if his cannabis use disorder is secondary to his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anemia, left eye scar, and a compensable rating for right hand 4th digit scar have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD were denied due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, and the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted with a new rating. The case is remanded to assess the current severity of the acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD was denied. The initial rating of 30 percent prior to December 15, 2011, and the subsequent increase to 50 percent thereafter were both denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, but did not grant or deny service connection. The effective date of service connection remains December 3, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment prior to April 1, 2019.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disability and neck disability, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression).

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded both his claim for an increased rating and his TDIU claim due to incomplete development.