PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding the in-service stressor event. The Veteran is advised that additional development is needed to establish a link between his current conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military experiences in Croatia, and thus service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a new examination.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is rated at 100% from April 15, 2014 to September 1, 2014 and at 20% thereafter. The Veteran's PTSD is denied an initial rating in excess of 70%. Service connection for hypertension due to herbicide exposure is granted, while service connection for sleep apnea and skin carcinomas are denied.,The Veteran's prostate cancer disability warrants a 100 percent rating from April 15, 2014 to September 1, 2014. From that date onward, the Veteran's prostate cancer disability warrants a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and mental conditions were reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection was granted for a sciatic nerve condition of the left lower extremity, but denied for the right lower extremity.,Service connection for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was dismissed as he withdrew the claim in writing, stating that he did not qualify for benefits and wanted to proceed with his PTSD rating.

The Board has decided that the claims of service connection for PTSD and a temporary total rating based on hospitalization due to PTSD need further development. The VA will consider new treatment records in their next decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as for a VA examination to assess the current severity of PTSD symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of in-service stressors and the need for additional VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered after these issues are addressed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of January 1998 for service connection of PTSD and TDIU based on PTSD, finding that neither claim was reasonably raised in prior decisions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient competent medical evidence to make a decision on the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran should be provided with an examination to determine whether he has an acquired psychiatric disorder and if it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to unresolved issues regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and the validity of his psychiatric diagnoses. The VA is instructed to seek additional unit records, associate outstanding treatment records, and schedule a VA examination for an opinion on the etiology of any current psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to military sexual trauma is granted. The Board found that the Veteran's lay statements and subsequent relationship issues in service are sufficient evidence to corroborate her claimed MST stressor.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the medical opinion provided regarding the Veteran's service-connected TBI. The examiner was asked to provide opinions on the nature and severity of the TBI prior to the Veteran's passing, including whether each identified symptom is at least as likely as not a residual of the TBI.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inconsistencies in the examination findings and need for further medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee disorders, and initial ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA records and a need for further development regarding the Veteran's PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been withdrawn, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, chronic headaches, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and residuals of a fracture of the left ring finger due to incomplete compliance with prior requests for verification of in-service stressor events.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. The issue of SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance remains on appeal.