PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected PTSD did not render him incapable of securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on a need for aid and attendance or due to being housebound, as his physical disabilities are primarily from nonservice-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records from Dr. L. Coates and providing an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's muscle atrophy.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for PTSD, a low back disorder, and bilateral hearing loss is granted. The claim of service connection for PTSD is reopened due to new evidence submitted since the prior final denial. The claims for a low back disorder and bilateral hearing loss are not reopened as the new evidence does not relate to an unestablished element of the claim.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 22, 2008 for the addition of the Veteran's son, J., as a dependent due to his status as a helpless child. The decision is based on the evidence submitted within one year of the rating action that made him eligible for additional compensation.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of TBI, including migraine headaches and PTSD is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD is also remanded as it involves a history of service-connected disabilities that may have aggravated his condition.

The appeal for service connection and increased ratings has been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective February 29, 2016. The appeal period for PTSD with MDD is from February 21, 2016, to February 21, 2017.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for subdural hematoma and entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to errors in applying the standard of aggravation, lack of verification of a claimed stressor for PTSD, and issues related to bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded for further evaluation due to the passage of time since their last examinations. The issue of TDIU prior to April 1, 2015 is also being remanded as it is intertwined with these evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, neuropathies, and cardiovascular issues, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for loss of vision, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability, an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), diabetes mellitus, type II, and a gastrointestinal disability.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to in-service personal assaults.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are to be evaluated, and a new opinion is needed regarding whether Graves' disease and hyperthyroidism are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for rheumatoid arthritis is denied as there is no evidence of current disability.,The Veteran's claims for depressive disorder and anxiety disorder are remanded to obtain a VA examination to clarify whether they are related to service-connected PTSD or other medical conditions.,The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea is remanded to determine the cause of her weight gain, which may be due to medications prescribed for PTSD.,The Veteran's claim for liver disease is remanded to determine if it was caused by weight gain due to medications prescribed for PTSD and lack of motivation to exercise due to PTSD. Service connection cannot be established as no direct link to service has been found.,The Veteran's claim for cerebral aneurysm rupture is remanded to determine if it was related to hypertension, which is already service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that it is related to his military service and consistent with the places, types, and circumstances of his service. The Veteran was awarded compensation for all diagnosed psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder is granted service connection, and a 50% rating for PTSD prior to June 17, 2020 is granted. Other claims are remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, is granted due to the link between his in-service stressors and current symptoms.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 40 percent since October 31, 2022. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as she did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Her migraine headaches were also rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent.,The Veteran was granted TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate due to her service-connected migraine disability.