PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The decision is based on insufficient evidence regarding the in-service stressor and incomplete service records.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting an initial disability rating of 100 percent.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for PTSD and kidney failure is granted. The claim for a kidney disorder, related to service-connected psychiatric disorders, is remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for an adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, claimed as PTSD.

The claims for service connection for right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy remain denied as new and material evidence has not been received.,The claim for an increased rating for PTSD remains denied, with the Veteran's current disability rated at 70 percent.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD as secondary to personal assault due to the appellant's dishonorable discharge under other than honorable conditions, and thus VA benefits are barred.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to March 20, 2019, and 70 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary alcohol use disorder is rated as 50 percent disabling from August 3, 2015. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and right ankle sprain are both rated as non-compensable (0%) from August 3, 2015. The appeals for increased ratings have been denied.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss and right hand disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU prior to September 23, 2020 are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran was granted TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate for his service-connected PTSD from January 1, 2013 to prior to January 17, 2020. The criteria for these benefits were met due to the Veteran's inability to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to new and material evidence. However, the claims are remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine whether the Veteran's PTSD contributed to her death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ankle disability, hypertension, disability of the lower extremities (including restless leg syndrome and leg cramps), obstructive sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disability (including depression and PTSD) due to incomplete medical records and uncorroborated in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disability existed during service and its relation to current conditions, as well as determining if any psychiatric disorder was a substantial or contributing factor in the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's reported PTSD stressor. Additional development is needed, including efforts to verify the arrest and imprisonment event in Panama.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD and PTSD have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since February 29, 2016. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effects of these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is granted as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability. His initial rating for the right shoulder is also granted at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to new evidence received since the previous decisions.,Sleep apnea is also being remanded as it may be related to an acquired psychiatric disability or diabetes mellitus.,Diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to potential in-service exposure to herbicide agents at Camp Lejeune.,Neuropathies are being remanded for a VA examination to determine their etiology and relationship to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's kidney cancer rating remains unchanged.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining VA medical opinions addressing the etiology of his diagnosed psychiatric disorders on a direct and secondary basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with depressive moods, as well as a compensable disability rating for his TBI and a higher rating for his post-traumatic headaches. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent from November 7, 2013, and 50 percent from January 13, 2020. The Board has granted an increased rating of 70 percent for the entire period on appeal.