PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed military sexual trauma and PTSD. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for PTSD with a depressive disorder and TDIU have been remanded due to incomplete development of the record. The Veteran needs to provide VA with all outstanding treatment records, complete and return VA forms for treatment providers, and submit completed TDIU application forms.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The Board also remanded the matter to consider entitlement to a TDIU as part of his increased-rating claim.

The Veteran's PTSD with recurrent major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder is granted a 70 percent rating, effective September 23, 2019. Service connection for hypertension, headaches, dizziness and syncope, dyspnea, skin condition, sleep disorder, and a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with recurrent major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD is dismissed as the Veteran and his representative have withdrawn their appeal, indicating satisfaction with the current rating of 100% effective February 25, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder and denied service connection for Erectile Dysfunction and a Respiratory Disorder (Tuberculosis).

The Veteran's right forearm strain with painful motion of the elbow is granted a 20 percent rating, effective June 20, 2019. The Veteran's right forearm strain with limited pronation is granted a 30 percent rating from June 20, 2019 to April 1, 2021 and a 10 percent rating thereafter. The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 100 percent disabling prior to May 24, 2018 and from April 1, 2021 onwards. The Veteran's right shoulder disability remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with anxiety disorder and alcohol use disorder was denied. The Board found that the current severity of his service-connected PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development and lack of compliance with previous remands. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder, peripheral neuropathy, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and headache disorder are all being reviewed.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to a finding that it was related to his active-duty service from March 2004 to August 2004.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and missing records. The issues include PTSD, sleep apnea (secondary to a psychiatric disorder), headaches, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied as the evidence did not establish a relationship between her current diagnosis and her period of service or her service-connected PTSD and IBS.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for IBS prior to August 18, 2022 was denied due to insufficient evidence showing that her service-connected disabilities aggravated her hypertension beyond natural progression.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD prior to August 18, 2022 was denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD and heart condition are both being remanded for further evaluation. The PTSD case requires a new VA examination to assess its current severity, while the heart condition case needs an examination to determine if it is related to service-connected PTSD or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to an issue of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, which was not addressed in the previous decision. The Veteran's representative requested reconsideration and argued that the Board should have addressed this issue.

The Veteran's PTSD has not met the criteria for a higher rating since September 27, 2017.,Service connection for PTSD was granted prior to June 20, 2014, but an effective date is denied due to lack of a formal or informal claim prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for service-connected syncope, a higher initial rating for his service-connected psychiatric condition with TBI, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected conditions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain pertinent medical records and provide the Veteran with an opinion regarding his reported 'dizzy spells'.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep condition, finding that any such condition is part of her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD, gastrointestinal condition, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disorder have been granted service connection. The TDIU appeal is dismissed as the PTSD rating has rendered it moot.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and his claim for TDIU is therefore denied.