PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has dismissed the claims due to the death of the appellant, as veterans' claims do not survive their deaths.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The appeal is remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating effective February 1, 2019. Service connection for osteoporosis, other than of the left hip, was also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 50 percent rating prior to November 19, 2021. From that date, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating was denied. The case has been remanded for further development regarding entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, service connection for left knee and right shoulder disorders, and HTN have been denied. The appeals are dismissed as the submitted evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for discoid lupus, systemic lupus erythematosus, and PTSD have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death while these appeals were pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and left wrist shell fragment wound, resulted from a common etiology of combat injuries. His combined disability rating is 60%, meeting the schedular threshold for a TDIU. However, he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was dismissed as he withdrew his request to continue the appeal in October 2022.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted.,Service connection for a psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified mood (affective) disorder, is also granted.,Entitlement to service connection for Parkinson's disease, linked to exposure to herbicide agents, is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, due to military sexual trauma experienced during service. The decision is based on the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD and her statements regarding continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD and right (major) shoulder rotator cuff strain ratings are being remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to inconsistencies in the evidence regarding service connection for left arm disability, including a left elbow disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Board has dismissed the appeals for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities as these issues were previously decided by the Board.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to April 14, 2016 resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but not total impairment. The Board granted a 70 percent evaluation for this period.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to issues related to psychiatric disability and neurocognitive disability, including allegations of in-service stressors. The Veteran is requested to undergo a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his current disabilities.

The Veteran's TBI is rated at 40 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The evidence does not establish that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and his PTSD with secondary alcohol use disorder was granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent from February 13, 2009, to March 10, 2011. The Board has remanded the issues regarding service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and colon cancer (secondary to herbicide exposure).

The Board has determined that the remand is necessary due to incomplete development and lack of proper consideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective July 31, 2017. His PTSD with depressive features and alcohol abuse remains at a 50% disability rating. The ratings for his gunshot wound residuals are denied.

A 50 percent rating for PTSD is granted from February 15, 2018. A rating in excess of 30 percent prior to February 15, 2018 and a rating in excess of 50 percent from February 15, 2018 to June 29, 2020 is denied.