PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's PTSD has not been manifested by total social and occupational impairment, so his request for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent rating for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to his reported in-service stressors, and the Board has granted service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional examinations and development are needed to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

Your claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with depressed mood, has been resolved as your condition was already granted. The Board is dismissing the appeal because the issue of service connection is moot due to the grant of benefits.

The Veteran's initial and compensable ratings for TBI are being remanded due to the need for clarification of residuals not already accounted for by separate ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder and cannabis use disorder is granted a 70 percent rating, but no higher, prior to May 11, 2019. A TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of recent treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD was denied because he failed to report for a necessary VA examination without good cause.

The Veteran's PTSD with adjustment disorder has been rated at 70 percent disabling, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's cause of death is granted due to his service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes, which materially contributed to his death. However, DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied as the Veteran did not meet the requirements for a total disability rating at any point prior to his death.

The Veteran's PTSD to include cocaine use disorder, cannabis use disorder, and alcohol use has been rated at 100% since October 22, 2012. The Board denied a temporary total rating under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.29 for hospitalization in excess of 21 days due to PTSD, as well as a temporary total rating under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 based upon convalescence following surgery, because no qualifying surgical procedure was identified.

The Veteran's appeal includes requests for increased disability ratings and earlier effective dates for service connection. The Board has determined that these issues are inextricably intertwined with other claims, necessitating remand to address all matters.

The Veteran's appeals for an effective date prior to February 7, 2017 and a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder have been dismissed due to her death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral flat feet, and a bilateral shin disability are remanded due to incomplete development of records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further medical examination and review of records, particularly regarding the Veteran's claimed assault during basic training and its relationship to her current psychiatric condition.

The Board denied service connection for psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and schizophrenia, finding that the evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran's claim for left hand disability was also denied.

An initial rating of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea is granted, effective from October 16, 2012. A total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted for PTSD, tinnitus, and sleep apnea, effective from October 16, 2012. The issue of TDIU for dermatophytosis is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric conditions, specifically PTSD. The Veteran is seeking service connection for depression, anxiety, and PTSD, which he attributes to in-service stressors including a physical assault and living in small quarters during service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and an unspecified anxiety disorder, as well as service connection for bone fractures. The appeal was remanded multiple times but the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other disability.