PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, nerve damage, and increased ratings for anxiety disorder with insomnia and right lower extremity neuropathy. The Veteran was found not to meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or nerve damage, and his symptoms were deemed insufficient to warrant higher disability ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete military personnel records and lack of verification for the Veteran's periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty for Training (INACDUTRA). The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD, which she claims was caused by a reported MST. The Board finds insufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran was on ACDUTRA at the time of the alleged MST.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70% rating, and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The Board finds additional development needed for the remaining issues.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of service connection for PTSD prior to June 27, 2017 is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the claims for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been granted. The appeal regarding entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination to assess his current PTSD symptoms, including their impact on his social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition and lower back condition are remanded as there may be outstanding treatment records relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is remanded due to the possibility of existing but unassociated medical evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet is remanded because no VA examination has been conducted yet.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, secondary to PTSD, is remanded as there may be outstanding treatment records relevant to this claim.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period from May 1, 2013 to March 12, 2014 is granted.,The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period from May 1, 2014 to October 10, 2021 is granted.,The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period from May 1, 2022 is granted.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and a lumbar spine disability, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions and insufficient evidence linking them to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for bipolar disorder and PTSD. The case will be reviewed after obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations and to obtain outstanding VA treatment records. The appellant's PTSD and prostate cancer residuals are rated at 70 percent and 40 percent, respectively.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and alcohol use disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a direct relationship between his in-service experiences and his current mental health conditions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not warrant a rating higher than 50 percent, and his low back condition is denied as service connection. The claim for sleep apnea requires further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a retrospective medical opinion regarding functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as the evidence supports a finding that his current PTSD is related to his active-duty service in Cuba, including being in fear of his life during combat.

The Veteran's claim for a skin condition was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his request for service connection.,The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorders, was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for rating reductions on the femoral nerve radiculopathy issues has been withdrawn. The appeals for increased PTSD ratings and service connection for tinnitus, right foot condition (secondary to knee), and right shoulder disability have been dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment from May 19, 2009, to July 15, 2012. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% effective from September 14, 2006.

Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are found to be caused by military stressors. Service connection is also granted for plantar fasciitis and OSA, with the latter being secondary to service-connected deviated septum and chronic rhinitis.