PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations and his unstable housing situation. The claims of service connection for TBI, PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, and schizotypal personality disorder are being reviewed again as new medical opinions are needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD and alcohol abuse disorder is denied as there is no evidence that these conditions were incurred during active service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted prior to August 14, 2014. The Board finds the Veteran unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and hearing loss.

The Board denied a higher initial rating for PTSD with panic disorder and agoraphobia from September 26, 2017. The Veteran was granted a 50 percent rating prior to May 1, 2013 and a 70 percent rating from May 1, 2013 to September 26, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD and depressive disorder, from December 6, 2019, was denied. The VA determined that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's MDD with PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted. The TDIU issue remains pending as additional information about her employment history is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection due to potential worsening of his bilateral knee condition, PTSD, lumbosacral spine disability, and TDIU. The Veteran is also required to provide VA with any outstanding treatment records from the Prescott VA and Phoenix VA.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused total occupational and social impairment since July 6, 2015. The Board has granted a 100% disability rating for PTSD effective from that date.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative joint disease of the left knee was withdrawn. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as schizophrenia and PTSD, has been reopened.,A 20 percent rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee with limitation of flexion is restored from August 12, 2018. A separate 10 percent rating for right knee limitation of extension is granted since December 3, 2018. A 30 percent rating for subluxation of the right knee is granted starting from December 3, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and right hand was reopened. The Board granted increased ratings for PTSD, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy conditions. However, some issues were remanded due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder have been granted a 70 percent initial disability rating prior to October 2, 2019. The TDIU claim for the same period has also been granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied, and the TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's Vet Center records and to ensure that he provides information regarding his employment history for a TDIU claim. The appeal will be remanded to allow these actions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service-connected PTSD was granted, with the effective date set at September 23, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depression, sleep disturbance, and cervical spine disability have been granted. The claim for a cervical spine disability was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding PTSD, right knee disability, anxiety, and depression. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the withdrawal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and schizoaffective disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was restored from 30 to 50 percent effective November 1, 2014.,The Veteran's headaches rating was restored from 0 to 30 percent effective November 1, 2014.

The Board has determined that the appellant is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities, specifically PTSD, IVDS, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The criteria for TDIU are met.