PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, right knee disability, left knee disability, and bilateral shoulder disability have been denied. The claim for PTSD was reopened due to new evidence received since the previous denial in 2001.

The Veteran's appeal for a seizure disorder was dismissed.,The Veteran's PTSD is granted an initial rating of 100 percent prior to April 21, 2021.

The Veteran's PTSD was not rated higher than 50 percent prior to December 3, 2019, and not higher than 70 percent since that date.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 20 percent, and a higher rating is denied.,PTSD and MDD are rated at 50 percent prior to August 30, 2016, and at 70 percent from that date. The issues of increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are remanded.,The Veteran's left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20 percent, and a higher rating is remanded.,The Veteran's right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20 percent, and a higher rating is remanded.,The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 10 percent, and a higher rating is remanded.,The Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 10 percent, and a higher rating is remanded.,TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to July 8, 2016.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the remaining issues on appeal. Specifically, efforts are required to obtain missing service treatment records from the Veteran's National Guard service and verify his claimed in-service stressors.,The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the remaining issues on appeal. Specifically, efforts are required to obtain missing service treatment records from the Veteran's National Guard service and verify his claimed in-service stressors.,The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the remaining issues on appeal. Specifically, efforts are required to obtain missing service treatment records from the Veteran's National Guard service and verify his claimed in-service stressors.,,The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the remaining issues on appeal. Specifically, efforts are required to obtain missing service treatment records from the Veteran's National Guard service and verify his claimed in-service stressors.,The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the remaining issues on appeal. Specifically, efforts are required to obtain missing service treatment records from the Veteran's National Guard service and verify his claimed in-service stressors.,The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the remaining issues on appeal. Specifically, efforts are required to obtain missing service treatment records from the Veteran's National Guard service and verify his claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting examinations to assess the Veteran's hearing loss, migraine headaches, PTSD, and left hip disability. The effective date of service connection remains unresolved.

The Board has withdrawn the claim for service connection for asthma and has remanded the claims for residuals of skin melanoma, bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder), and loss of erectile power due to an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, so the Board dismissed the case.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is also granted for tinnitus. The Board notes that the claims for left knee condition and back condition are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for numbness in the bilateral hands and legs, thighs, and feet have been denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Service connection has also been denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The Veteran did not provide a verified in-service stressor that would support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and etiology opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, specifically PTSD. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on in-service stressors including military sexual trauma.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, respiratory disorders, lung nodule, gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, and irritable bowel syndrome are all granted service connection. The hypertension claim is denied.,Service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorders (PTSD, depression, anxiety disorder, and nightmare disorder) is granted based on in-service stressors and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining a VHA determination on eligibility for dental treatment and an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed dental disability. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not by themselves cause him to require aid and assistance in accomplishing the activities of daily living and render him unable to protect himself from the hazards and dangers of his daily environment. Therefore, SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran is seeking an effective date prior to July 30, 2015 for the award of a 100% rating for PTSD. The Board has remanded the case due to the need to secure VA treatment records that may be relevant to the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pericarditis was denied, and his PTSD was granted with an initial rating of 70%. The case is remanded for further development regarding sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar strain, headaches (claimed as PTSD), and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and insufficient examination reports. The claims will be reviewed again with additional evidence and examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to conflicting diagnoses of psychiatric disorders and the need for additional medical examinations.,PTSD is being remanded as there is a conflict in diagnoses and the need for an examination to determine its relationship to service. Service connection for bipolar disorder, secondary to PTSD, is also being remanded.,Right knee disability claims are being remanded due to conflicting diagnoses of chondromalacia patella syndrome and the need for additional medical examinations.,Right quadriceps tear and left quadriceps tear claims are being remanded as there is a lack of service connection evidence and the need for an examination to determine their relationship to service-connected right knee disability.,,

The Board denied an earlier effective date for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to July 25, 2014, finding that the Veteran was not unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities until then.