PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective September 1, 2022. The issue of TDIU remains on appeal.

The appellant has withdrawn all pending appeals regarding the initial disability rating for PTSD and the earlier effective date for service connection. The Board dismissed these matters as a result.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to lack of recent examination and interview of the Veteran, and will attempt again to obtain an examination for a determination on service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The Veteran's PTSD and cervical spine disorder are both being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral leg disability, neck disability, lung condition, and chronic sinusitis due to incomplete development of records. The VA must obtain updated treatment records and VistA Imaging records, provide addendum opinions regarding the Veteran's disabilities, and issue an SSOC addressing the additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for PTSD, respiratory disability (undiagnosed illness), and headaches have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and development conducted do not comply with the previous remand instructions. Therefore, the case is being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, left wrist condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, and headache condition due to inadequate medical opinions. The VA examiner is requested to address the Veteran's lay testimony of having experienced symptoms in service and since service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD due to further development being required.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for a comprehensive examination. The Veteran's claustrophobia, major depressive disorder, PTSD, and seizure disorder are all under review.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, diabetes mellitus, and PTSD due to incomplete or insufficient evidence. New VA examinations are needed.

The Veteran's PTSD with other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder is currently rated at 70 percent since August 11, 2022. Prior to that date, he was granted a 70 percent rating. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his presumed in-service herbicide exposure, including Agent Orange. The claims are related and will be considered together.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and employee health nursing notes.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) due to incomplete development.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service and engaging in combat with enemy forces.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's assaults during service and his neurobehavioral effects, as well as the cumulative effect of multiple assaults. The Veteran's representative also contends that the Veteran's numerous anger issues are acute symptoms of a mental disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the Board finding that her back disability and psychiatric disorders are related to her military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence showing he is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than depressive disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety disorder, as well as diabetes mellitus (DM), were denied. The Board has remanded both claims due to the need for additional development.