PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and TDIU due to issues with verifying claimed stressors. The Veteran must be provided an opportunity to have his claims reviewed, including through a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and CAD due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The Veteran's claim for service connection is being reopened.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, and a compensable rating for scars on the left shoulder due to missing VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing VA and private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from February 2021 to the present regarding treatment for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran must be provided with a supplemental statement of the case if the determination remains adverse.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was dismissed. The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial rating of 70 percent prior to April 29, 2019 and denied a higher rating thereafter.

The Board has remanded the claims for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing, special home adaptation grant, and financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or adaptive equipment due to their interrelation with the claim for a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities other than PTSD with insomnia disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective October 25, 2018. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable from this date forward.

The Veteran's PTSD with adjustment disorder and anxiety is rated at 70 percent, effective July 29, 2015. The claim for a higher rating is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for TDIU before January 17, 2017 due to incomplete records and need for an opinion on whether his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied effective dates prior to February 6, 2017 for a 20% disability rating for left shoulder impingement syndrome and a 100% disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, depression), and obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD was granted. The low back disability received increased ratings, while other claims were remanded.

The Board has determined that a VA examination and medical opinion are needed to assess the combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on her ability to obtain or maintain employment. The TDIU claim is also referred for extraschedular consideration due to the unavailability of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left ear scar, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since September 8, 2016. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from that date.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from December 15, 2017 to July 17, 2018. The rating for PTSD prior to and after this period remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus granting TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for various conditions, and the Board has ordered additional records to be obtained as part of this remand process.