PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for left and right knee disorders, both secondary to a service-connected left ankle condition.

The Board has remanded the cases due to failure to obtain VA treatment records and an inadequate examination, which could impact the evaluation of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depression, is related to his service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has found that remand is required for the Veteran's PTSD and lumbar spine sprain claims due to lack of recent VA treatment records and inadequate examinations. The Veteran will need to provide authorization for private medical records, and he will be scheduled for new VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and hypertension, but the psychiatric disorder claim is remanded as it involves a complex medical issue.

The Board has decided that the issue of whether sleep apnea is related to service-connected PTSD needs further clarification and a new opinion from VA medical professionals.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD is remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The Board denied a higher rating and also denied entitlement to TDIU based on the effects of his service-connected disabilities in aggregate.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to October 24, 2017.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders, including whether they are caused by or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The claims for service connection and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI was granted an initial rating of 70 percent prior to September 4, 2020. A separate 10 percent rating for TBI residuals was also granted. The Veteran's PTSD with TBI is now rated as higher than 50 percent after September 4, 2020. Other issues related to service connection were remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

An effective date of August 23, 2005 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and other foot conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since October 20, 2006. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's PTSD and related conditions are being remanded for further evaluation due to the lack of recent medical examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and alcohol use disorder, was denied as there is no evidence of a current in-service event or injury that led to these conditions. The Board found the Veteran's claims were based on secondary service connection due to his asthma, but since he does not have a currently service-connected asthma, this claim cannot be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and bilateral knee disorders, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and residuals of right ankle sprain are being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and examinations.

PTSD and diabetes mellitus type 2 increased ratings are denied.,Peripheral neuropathy claims for the lower extremities are denied as no claim was filed prior to September 10, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to MST, is denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of an in-service stressor and the VA examiner opined that any mental health treatment providers likely made a diagnosis in error.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to MST, is also denied. The Board found that there was no credible supporting evidence corroborating the alleged MST.