PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent evaluation, but no higher, based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and chondromalacia of the left knee due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's current left knee disability is related to his active service. The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left knee injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to December 2, 2016. The Board found that her symptoms associated with her service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure and follow substantial employment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, persistent depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder) is granted as service connected. The claim for TDIU prior to September 14, 2022, is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with anxiety symptoms, finding that the Veteran's PTSD is not causally or etiologically related to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Major depressive disorder, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since November 1, 2021. The appeal for a TDIU prior to September 8, 2021, was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been reopened and granted. The claim for hypertension remains denied, as does the claim for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and requests for additional treatment information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure is granted.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral upper extremity neurological disorders (likely carpal tunnel syndrome), and a disorder manifested by dizziness are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to March 29, 2021 did not meet the criteria for a disability rating higher than 30 percent. Since March 29, 2021, his symptoms have not met the criteria for a disability rating higher than 50 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The appeal regarding earlier effective dates and disability ratings for tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a higher rating due to evidence of worsening symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to insufficient development and need for a more detailed opinion regarding whether PTSD contributed substantially or materially to the production of death.

The Veteran's right and left foot disabilities are not service connected as they existed prior to service. The recurrent sinus disability and psychiatric disability were not shown during active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from October 9, 2013 until May 11, 2017. Effective October 9, 2013, the Veteran's TDIU and Dependents Education Assistance are granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, finding that there was no current diagnosis of a mental disorder and that the evidence did not meet the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for PTSD.

The Board found that the reduction of the PTSD rating from 100% to 10% was not proper and restored the original 100% rating.

The Veteran is granted TDIU from February 18, 2016, to December 31, 2017, and since April 1, 2022. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment during these periods.